Australia and Japan will meet in Monday morning’s World Championship Final. They repeat the finals of the last two U-18 Men’s Softball World Cups in 2018 and 2020, with Australia and Japan winning one world title each.

Another masterpiece by left-handed ace Jack Besgrove and a clutch three-run homer off the bat of Ashlee Goffer guided Australia to a 4-0 win against Canada, in their last Super Round Game. This result sets up the World Championship Final against Japan, tomorrow at 06:00 AEST at the Nafaldo Cargnel Stadium, Paraná, Argentina.

Australia took the lead in the bottom of the first inning with a three run homer by Ashley Goffer. Canadian lefty Reese Yantzi left a pitch in the middle of the plate and Goffer's hit disappeared over the right field fence.

The Aussies added one more in the sixth. Riley James led off the inning with a triple to left field, and scored later on a wild pitch. 

Besgrove tossed his second no-hitter of the tournament. The senior 2022 World Champion was one walk away from perfection, allowing no hits and striking out 10.

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Australia will play in a third consecutive Men’s Softball World Cup Final. The U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup 2020 was lost to Japan; while the Men’s Softball World Cup 2022 was claimed against Canada last December.

How Did We Get Here?

The Under-23 Men's Softball World Cup got underway in the early hours of Sunday 16 April, with the opening win against Singapore.

Australia then went 5-0 through the round-robin stage of the tournament, including a win over the host nation Argentina and world number one, in an eight-inning nail-biter.

Opening Round
Australia 7 - Singapore 3
Australia 2 - Argentina 1
Australia 8 - South Africa 3
Australia 4 - Mexico 1
Australia 2 - Czechia 0

Australia topped Group A and took a 2-0 record into the Super Round.

Super Round
Australia 1 - New Zealand 4
Australia 1 - Japan 8
Australia 4 - Canada 0

Australia finished the Super Round with a 3-2 record, advancing to the World Championship Final thanks to head-to-head results against Mexico and Argentina.

Japan lost their final game of the Super Round, going down in an epic nine-inning encounter with hosts Argentina, who Australia defeated on day two of competition.

How to Watch the World Cup Final

Catch the game live - or on demand - via the WBSC's official livestreaming platform: GameTime

Australia vs Japan in the World Cup Final begins at 6:00AM AEST - Monday 24 April.

A single day pass is just USD $5.99 and can be purchased here.

For news relating to the U-23 Men's Softball World Cup, stats, team rosters, fixture times, tournament results and more, head to the official website.