The Steelers face a massive challenge in their journey to the Medal Round, with Cuba, USA and the undefeated Argentinians standing in their way in the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Super Round.

In this edition of the Men's Softball World Cup the Steelers have been in a number of different scenarios - there were the big shutout wins over South Africa, Denmark and Venezuela, the shutout loss against Canada and of course the fighting comeback win over the Japanese. 

With famed pitcher Adam Folkard's injury in the first game, the Steelers have largely relied upon other pitchers, mainly the young lefty Jack Besgrove, whose 34 strike outs (ranked fourth) from sixteen innings pitched (also ranked fourth) have given him an ERA of 1.31 (ranked third). Standing above Besgrove on the ERA list are Junior Steeler Bradley Kilpatrick (USA) on 1.05 and the Argentine Roman Godoy who is sitting on a phenomenal 0.45.

Given what transpired during the Canada shutout, the Steelers will be very well aware of just how tough the next few games will be. The Cubans are also worthy opponents, with their indefatigable pitching ace Alain Román notching up 39 strikeouts in 28.2 innings, four more innings than the next pitcher. Román's ERA is sitting at 2.44, with his only blemishes in the Opening Round coming in games against Argentina (7IP, 3ER, 7BB), and the USA (3.2IP, 7ER, 6BB).

On the hitting side, Cuba will be looking to infielder Yesander Rodriguez who is currently at 9-17 with an average of .529 (1.438 OPS). The Steelers will also want to be wary of Argentine outfielder Alan Peker (batting .417 and with a 1.533 OPS) who has hit two home runs in twelve at-bats and USA utility Blaine Milheim (batting .471 and with a 1.467 OPS). 

The Steelers batters have banded together for 35 hits in the Opening Round and boast a lineup that can produce moments at any point. Veteran Nick Shailes (.444 AVG) is the team leader, while Hayden Mathews, Julian Jemmott, Callum Beashel, Joshua Mcgovern and Brendon O'Byrne are all batting above .300. You wouldn't want to sleep on Marshall Kronk either, who has tallied up 5RBI with a double and a home run thus far.

While the Australians have shown they have every right to be in the Super Round, even if the Steelers win three from three, they'll still be relying on the results of Canada's games to make it to the Medal Round. The Australians' Opening Round loss to Canada has been carried into the Super Round, complicating the situation somewhat.

Whatever transpires we'll be following every game closely and cheering along while watching on GameTime.Sport, the WBSC's official livestreaming provider. 

Schedule:
Thursday December 1 vs Cuba 4:30pm NZDT
Friday December 2 vs USA 1:30pm NZDT
Saturday December 3 vs Argentina 7:30pm NZDT