U23s close again in 8-6 defeat to South Africa.

GB U23s once again showed their fighting spirit in their first placement round game but  six run inning from South Africa proved decisive.

GB were the first to score with right fielder James Quinn-Irons hitting a home run to deep left field and then the team put up two in the top of the fourth to take a 3-1 lead.

A double by Ray Mercer scored Jake Lambdin before Mercer scored on a South African throwing error.

A double play for GB

GB extended the lead in the next inning through a sac fly by Matthew Ward single which drove in first baseman Charlie Collins.

South Africa hit back with six runs at the bottom of the fifth to give them a 7-4 lead but GB continued to fight hard scoring two runs in the sixth and seventh innings but it was not enough.

Another sac fly, this time by Charlie Collins scored J’Quann Smith at the top of the sixth before a single by Lambdin scored second baseman Max Viera who had reached third on a triple to centre field.

GB catcher Tucker Stockman in action against South Africa

"Well we finally got what we deserved out of a game it just happened to be on the day we played poorly. Big credit to South Africa for playing a solid game of baseball, we're back at it tomorrow and I'm sure we'll come back throwing our best punches," said U23s head coach Jonathon Cramman.

Tomorrow morning at 3.00am UK time GB will take on The Netherlands before wrapping their World Cup campaign at 7.30am UK time on Saturday against Chinese Taipai.

Games can be watched and followed on WBSC website

All photos courtesy of WBSC