OKLAHOMA CITY (September 21, 2024) — The U.S. Men’s National Team (MNT) capped off their World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Men’s World Cup Group C Stage with a commanding 10-0 run-rule victory over Japan, securing their spot in the 2025 WBSC Men’s World Cup Finals. The match, which featured the No. 1 vs. No. 2 teams, also saw Colombia and Guatemala finish as the No. 3 and No. 4 teams in the opening round. Following the U.S. win, Japan will face Guatemala — who had earlier defeated Colombia — for a chance to advance to the World Cup Finals.
The U.S. took control early, with a nine-run first inning setting the tone for the game. Erick Ochoa led the charge offensively, going a perfect 3-for-3 with the only multi-hit performance for the U.S. The offense was further powered by Zac Shaw, who hit a solo home run to center field, and Jeff Lewis, who delivered a key bases-loaded triple.
On the mound, Marco Diaz was dominant, recording five strikeouts and allowing just three hits over four innings. The U.S. offense came out firing right from the start, scoring their first run on a bases-loaded walk to Cam Schiller. This was followed by Tyler Johnson and Yusef Davis each adding a hit that brought in four more runs, putting the U.S. up 5-0. The offensive explosion continued with Lewis’ triple, plating three more runs, and Ochoa’s single, extending the lead to 9-0.
Despite a quiet second inning, the U.S. extended the lead to 10-0 in the third inning thanks to Shaw’s solo home run. Diaz and the defense continued to control the game, retiring Japan in order in the fourth inning to secure the run-rule victory.
This win marked Team USA’s fourth shutout of the tournament, as the MNT dominated throughout the event. The squad finished the opening round with undefeated record, defeating Colombia, Guatemala, Netherlands, Japan, and South Africa. The team excelled in both offensive and pitching categories, leading the tournament in batting average (.688), hits (Lewis – 11, Johnson – 7), home runs (Lynch – 3), and RBIs (Lynch – 10, Lewis – 8, Johnson – 7). The pitching staff of Diaz, Javier Caballero, Cody Gibbons, and Jon Gwizdala combined for 68 strikeouts while giving up only eight earned runs over the course of six games.
The 2025 WBSC Men’s World Cup Finals will take place in Prince Albert, Canada, and will feature the top two teams from each group event (A, B, and C), along with two wild-card selections.