Israel edges Nicaragua

ISRAEL’S mens baseball team were keen to impress in the 20-team 2023 World Baseball Classic, despite being in one of the toughest pools. The Israeli team – which includes Jewish American MLB players Garrett Stubbs, Jock Pederson, Dean Kremer, Spencer horwitz and Richard Bleier – began its campaign in Miami brightly on Monday (Australian time) with the 3-1 comeback win over Nicaragua.

Down 0-1 early, Horwitz made a hit in the eighth inning that allowed Jacob Goldfarb to score a run,  before Stubbs blasted a ball into left field, which bounced up into the stands for a two run gain.

In front of 20,000 fans, Horwitz described the atmosphere as electric adding “being my first time playing for team Israel, it’s living up to everything.”

Things turned downhill fast for Israel on Tuesday, when they were thumped 10-0 by star studded Puerto Rico. Israel was due to face baseball powerhouses the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, and Venezuela on Thursday. Only the top two teams in each pool will advance. Australia moved beyond the group stage for the first time, posting upset wins over Korea and the Czech Republic.

Credit AJN