Baseball NSW congratulates the Team Australia U23 squad for bagging the 2025 WBSC Oceania Championship and qualifying for the 2026 U23 World Cup. Team Australia swept their five-game series against Guam from 6 to 9 November at Blacktown International Sports Park to secure their spot!
This tournament was crucial for Team Australia, as only one team from the Oceania region could earn a spot on next year’s World Cup.
During the qualifying tournament, the Aussies handled their business and outscored Guam 53-5 across the five games.
Despite these dominant scores, Guam did not go down quietly. In Game 4, Team Australia escaped with a 4-2 walk-off win after Drew Davies dinged a two-run homer to break a 2-2 tie.
The Australians jumped onto a 2-0 series lead after convincing performances in the first two games. Game 1 saw NSW own Matthew Trainor, and Josh Nati drive in early runs to help the team take a 5-0 lead en route to a comfortable 6-3 victory. In Game 2, Guam took a 2-0 lead in the first frame but the Aussies rallied back thanks to Davies’ sizzling bat to win 9-2.
Trainor, Nati, Jake Burns, and Brad Griffin also garnered hits for Team Australia in Game 2. Nine different players reached base.
However, Game 3 saw the Australians at their most dominant, clinching their World Cup spot with an 18-1 trouncing of Guam. Nati drove in six runs to help his team cruise to the U23 Oceania Championship and earn their trip to the World Cup in 2026.
Meanwhile, pitcher Damien Wilson threw six innings and drew only five hits and one walk while striking out three.
Game 5 was similarly academic. Team Australia rolled Guam 10-0 to end the series, as they scored in four straight innings: three in the second, three in the third, one in the fourth, and another three in the fifth.
Jake Burns had two hits as every batter in the starting lineup reached base. The Aussies’ bats were unstoppable, outhitting Guam 7-2.
On the mound, Tyrone Fergie pitched four scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out four.
BNSW congratulates our NSW players and Team Australia for punching their ticket to the U23 World Cup and we wish the boys all the best as they prepare to compete against the world’s top teams!
Photo credits: @smp_images/Baseball Australia
