Three-run homer leads Aussies to thrilling baseball win
Three-run homer leads Aussies to thrilling baseball win
A miraculous three-run homer by second baseman Luke Hughes handed Australia a 7-4 11th inning win over Venezuela to put them on the cusp of the quarter-finals of the 37th Baseball World Cup.
Having trailed 4-0 early, Australia sealed victory when Hughes delivered a knockout blow at the bottom of the 11th inning - four hours and 12 minutes after the game started.
The Australians are now two wins from three games - they beat Netherlands 4-3 on Thursday - and only need two wins from remaining games against minnows Thailand, Korea, Germany or Canada to advance.
Hughes, who came into the game as a replacement in the seventh inning, was ecstatic with the result after his winning drive over left-field cleared the stadium.
“I was guessing fast-ball and when he threw it, I just tried to put a good swing on it,” Hughes said.
“I knew it (the ball) was gone as soon as I hit it. It was probably the biggest home run I have hit in my life, it felt awesome.”
The young West Australian’s heroics were the fairytale ending to a nightmare start that had the Aussies chasing four runs after the top of the second inning.
In another Group B match on Friday, Korea overwhelmed Thailand 18-2.
Italy overpowered the United States 6-2 :eek: in a Group A clash to leave the Americans with a 2-1 record after three games in the tournament.
In other Group A action Spain beat South Africa 7-4.
© 2007 AAP
