In a high-scoring rollercoaster of a game - that at times resembled a home run derby - Australia has produced a brilliant performance at the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup in New Zealand, beating the USA 12-9.

The 21-run total signified that no pitcher was safe from the onslaught. Jack Besgrove started out and went five innings, giving up six earned runs and three walks against the quality American squad. On the plus-side, his twelve strike outs doubled the total of the opposition, giving the Steelers the room to come back - and then some. 

Adam Folkard's short appearance yielded his first earned run of the tournament as the USA drew level at the top of the sixth inning.

None of that fazed Marshall Kronk, who struck out the side in the seventh and last in a solid closing appearance. Kronk's influence continued past the pitching circle, he collected two hits including the first RBI in the all-important sixth inning.

While pitchers were being hit left, right and centre, at least the hitters were happy. Scott Patterson has exploded into form in the Super Round, going 3-4 with a 3-run home run in the second inning to go with a lead-off triple in the first and a single in the sixth. His Super Round average is sitting at a formidable .500 after two games. 

Three more Steelers cleared the fence with Nick Shailes and James Todhunter collecting their second home runs for the tournament, while Joshua McGovern collected his first.

Hayden Mathews continued his rich run of form going 2-4 with an RBI while Brendon O'Byrne added to his World Cup stat-sheet by hitting a single in the second. O'Byrne's diving catch at second base added to his highlight reel, which seems to grow stronger after every game.

Saturday's game marks the biggest challenge for the Steelers thus far, with the Australians taking on the as-yet-undefeated Argentina. The Argentines take on the impressive Canada on Friday afternoon.

Box Score:
USA 9R 9H 1E
Australia: 12R 12H 1E

Batting:
2B: (1) MILHEIM, Blaine Robert; (1) OCHOA, Erick; (1) LYNCH, Jonathan Michael
3B: (1) PATTERSON, Scott
HR: (1) MILHEIM, Blaine Robert; (1) PALAZZO, Matt Joseph; (1) PATTERSON, Scott; (1) SHAILES, Nick; (1) MCGOVERN, Joshua; (1) TODHUNTER, James
RBI: (4) MILHEIM, Blaine Robert; (3) PALAZZO, Matt Joseph; (1) LYNCH, Jonathan Michael; (3) PATTERSON, Scott; (1) BEASHEL, Callum; (1) SHAILES, Nick; (1) KRONK, Marshall; (1) MCGOVERN, Joshua; (3) TODHUNTER, James; (1) MATHEWS, Hayden
BB: (1) MULLINS, Nicholas Ryan; (1) OCHOA, Erick; (1) PALAZZO, Matt Joseph; (1) SCHILLER, Cameron John; (1) DAVIS JR, Yusef Lateef; (2) SHAILES, Nick; (1) TODHUNTER, James; (1) JEMMOTT, Julian

Fielding:
E: (1) PALAZZO, Matt Joseph; (1) MATHEWS, Hayden

Pitching:
Australia
BESGROVE, Jack: 5.2IP, 7H, 6ER, 3BB, 12K
FOLKARD, Adam: 0.1IP, 2H, 1ER, 1BB
KRONK, Marshall: 1IP, 0H, 0ER, 1BB, 3K

Canada
GWIZDALA, Jon Michael: 1.2IP, 4H, 4ER, 1BB, 2K
CABALLERO LABANINO, Javier: 2.1IP, 2H, 2ER, 3K
KILPATRICK, Bradley: 2IP, 6H, 4ER, 3BB, 1K

Schedule:
Saturday December 3 vs Argentina 7:30pm NZDT

(Image Caption: Scott Patterson (far right) celebrates with teammates after a home run in Steelers exciting win over USA. Image Credit: WBSC)