WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup: Australia overcome Italy, finish in eighth place. South Africa beat Germany – World Baseball Softball Confederation

The final day of the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025 presented by RAXUS second round is underway in Naha and Itoman, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.

The Placement Round games day started with a surprise. South Africa defeated Germany to earn their first win.

Australia came back from an early deficit to beat Italy and claim eighth place..

The afternoon game between China and Cuba won’t change the placement from seventh to twelfth place:

7th Cuba
8th Australia
9th Italy
10th Germany
11th China
12th South Africa

The first Super Round game, USA vs Puerto Rico, is scheduled for 14:30 (locla time) at Okinawa Cellular Stadium.

All games are live on GameTime, the WBSC OTT platformExceptions may apply in Japan, Korea and Taiwan

PLACEMENT ROUND GAMESSouth Africa-Germany 6-4

A six-run top of the sixth brought South Africa over Germany for the first South African win in the tournament.
Germany had a 3-1 lead entering the at-bat. Reliever Jacob Huber, the third German pitcher of the day, walked leadoff hitter Joshua Botha. Junaid Bedford followed with a single. Both advanced to third and scored when pinch-hitter Jaden Du Preez grounded into a forceout. With two outs, Imaad Hassiem singled and Luca Orgill doubled to give South Africa the lead.
Germany handed the ball to Vincent Arebalo. Liam Van der Westhuizen got to the newcomer with a two-RBI single, extending the lead to 6-3.
South Africa’s starter Stiaan Henning and left took a 6-4 lead into the bottom of the seventh and left with a 92-pitch count. Reliever Connor Stander got a quick out, then allowed a walk and a single. He allowed a two-out walk to Benito Bull to load the bases and went to the showers.
Caelum Stroberg took the mound and struck out Robin Spies on four pitches to end the game.

BOXSCORE and PLAY BY PLAY

Australia-Italy 12-3

Italy took an early lead, scoring three runs in the top of the third against starter Mitchell Evans.
Australia took control of the game with an eight-run fourth inning. Italian starter Filippo Brunelli allowed a leadoff single and a walk and left for Frelonil Carrasco. The reliever got a quick first out, then hit a batter and allowed an RBI single to Benjamin Nesmith. Carrasco collapsed under an error, two singles and a walk. He left for Christian Tontini with Australia leading 4-3. Tontini got the second out, then Josh Nati drove his fourth pitch down the left field line for a three-RBI double that opened the score to 8-3.
Ethan Brickel, who had closed the top of the third, and Patrick Crotty limited Italy to four hits in what remained of the game.

BOXSCORE and PLAY BY PLAY

Key linksThe tournament day by dayFeature articles