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The 6th World Baseball Classic (WBC) played its final Pool B game on March 11 local time, featuring Italy against Mexico. Ultimately, Italy won by a landslide 9-1, advancing to the quarterfinals as the group winner with a perfect four-win record. The United States, which previously lost to Italy, advanced as the group runner-up, while Mexico, a final-four team in the previous tournament, was eliminated in the group stage for the first time in two tournaments.
After defeating what was called the strongest US team in history 8-6 on the 10th, Italy's morale was high. Mexico, ranking third in the group at the time, had to win by a margin of 5 runs or more to stage a comeback and advance, thus urgently needing to score heavily.
In the second inning, Italy's cleanup hitter Pasquantino hit a solo home run straight into the front of the right-field bleachers, scoring the first run. In the fourth inning, Berti added another run with a solo homer to left field. In the fifth inning, with one out and runners on first and third, Italy successfully executed a safety squeeze, forcing an infield throwing error by the opponent to score again. Then, they loaded the bases with a walk, and number three hitter Marsi hit a two-run single to right field, widening the gap to 5 runs.
Seizing the initiative in the sixth inning, Italy saw Pasquantino accurately hit a second-pitch slider, blasting his second right-field home run of the game. They scored 1 more run in the seventh inning to lead 7-0. In the eighth inning, in his first at-bat, Pasquantino smashed another right-field home run to seal the victory—becoming the first player in WBC history to hit three home runs in a single game.
In the end, Italy recorded 10 hits and racked up 9 runs throughout the game, proudly clinching first place in Pool B with four straight wins. On the other hand, Mexico, who fought a grueling semifinal battle with Japan in the 2023 tournament, tearfully exited in the group stage. The pitching staff collapsing early on due to Italy's extra-base hits proved to be the fatal flaw.
Based on this result, Italy placed first in Pool B with 4 wins and 0 losses, and will face Pool A runner-up Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals. The United States finished second in the group at 3-1, and will face Pool A winner Canada in the quarterfinals. The star-studded US team, which once faced the risk of a group-stage exit before the game, finally scraped through safely.
Japanese fans watching the game on Netflix flooded social media platforms with comments: "Italy is too strong," "Italy is fierce!", "To think Mexico, the final four team from last time, actually got eliminated...", "The WBC is so good to watch," "Proves that the game against the US wasn't a fluke, they have real strength," "Undoubtedly the dark horse of this tournament," etc., showing an enthusiastic response.
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