Besgrove shuts out Japan as Australia win first-ever WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup title

World No. 4 Australia claimed the inaugural WBSC U-23 Men's Softball World Cup title behind pitching ace Jack Besgrove's masterful performance against Japan in their 1-0 win in the World Championship Final on Sunday evening in Paraná, Argentina. The Australian vice-co-captain led his team from the front, pitching a complete-game shutout with 11 strikeouts.

The game was scoreless after three innings of play with Australia allowing two early hits while Japan's Kaki Yagi only allowed a single leadoff hit from Jeremy Garland.

An exciting pitching duel ensued at the World Championship Final, led by Australia's Jack Besgrove who has been magnificent throughout the tournament and Japan's Koki Yagi and Kazuya Umibe. In the fifth inning, Umibe relieved Yagi, who allowed two hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

After six tense innings, the score was still tied at 0-0. Jeremy Waters broke the deadlock, putting Australia in the lead 1-0 in the top of the final inning with a single to left, scoring Shannon Goffer, whose double put him in scoring position.

Besgrove spoke about the team's tight bond and teamwork that led the way for their success at the U-23 World Cup.

“We’re pretty close, we’re also good mates… We are just doing it for each other. It's awesome because it's one of the best teams I've ever played in," Besgrove said.

Besgrove will return home a dual World Cup winner, and U-23 World Cup MVP. The 19-year-old earned the title off the back of a marathon tournament, clocking up a massive 48 innings and six wins, twelve innings and a win higher than the next pitcher. WBSC: Jack Besgrove named WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup MVP

Today’s matchup at the U-23 World Cup was the third consecutive face-off in the final between Australia and Japan in the age-group Softball World Cups. They played for the title in the Junior Men’s Softball World Championship 2018 and the U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup 2020.

Riley James and Matt Harrow are now triple World Cup winners, having been part of the 2018 Junior Men’s World Cup and 2022 Open Men’s World Cup Australian teams.

“We knew we’d have to battle against Japan. All I asked the boys was to hang in there and keep fighting. We have a battle spirit, it’s something that we looked at throughout the week, and we needed that during the last game. We never gave up, we constantly put pressure, and finally worked at the end,” Australia head coach David Metekingi said.

Australia, the reigning Champions of the senior Men’s Softball World Cup, claimed their eighth Men’s Softball World Cup title in history and their 13th overall medal.

More Coverage of the Championship Final

Box Score

Full Game Replay available via Gametime.sport (paid subscribers only)

Closing Ceremony available via Gametime.sport (paid subscribers only)

Purchase the full tournament streaming bundle or just the championship games at gametime.sport

WBSC: Jack Besgrove named WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup MVP; seven teams represented in All-World team

Australia U23 World Cup Roster, Results and Player Statistics

Australia Under 23 Men's Softball World Cup Winning Team

Team Officials