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(Story by Marco Stoovelaar)
    South Africa second finalist in World Baseball Classic Qualifier
Nederlands
 BLACKTOWN, Greater Western Sydney, New South Wales (Australia) -
As expected, South Africa has become the second finalist of this years first World Baseball Classic Qualifier, which will come to a close on Sunday at Blacktown Baseball Stadium, which is located in Blacktown, just outside of Sydney.
On Saturday-evening (February 13), South Africa won 9-2 vs. New Zealand, which was eliminiated because of the loss.
On Friday-evening, Australia won 4-1 vs. South Africa to become the first finalist, as expected.
Earlier on Friday, New Zealand won 17-7 vs. the Philippines, which therefore became the first team to be eliminated.
South Afica and New Zealand then met in today's semi-final.
In March, two more Qualifying Tournaments follow.
The fourth and last tournament will be played in September.
The winners of these four tournaments qualify for next years World Baseball Classic.
Canada, China, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Cuba, Dominican Republic, Italy, Japan, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, South Korea, USA and Venezuela already have qualified, based on their accomplishments during the last Classic in 2013.
Just as in 2013, the World Baseball Classic will have the status again as World Championship.
Back then, the Dominican Republic won the title and was crowned as World Champion.
In 2011, the Netherlands was the final team to capture the World Championship-title in a World Cup Tournament old-style, which then was held in Panama.
(February 13)
Related Articles:
 Australia in Final World Baseball Classic Qualifier. (February 12, 2016)
Australia, South Africa open WBC Qualifier with convincing win. (February 11, 2016)
First World Baseball Classic Qualifier to open in Australia. (February 10, 2016)
Dominican Republic new Classic-champion. (March 19, 2013)
Dutch Team ends up short in semi-final. (March 18, 2013)
Dutch Baseball Team World Champion! (October 15, 2011)
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Game Five - New Zealand vs. South Africa (Semi-Final)
Leading 1-0, South Africa rallied for four runs in the top of the third inning to take a commanding lead in the semi-final vs. New Zealand.
South Africa collected 11 basehits, including four by Keegan Swanepoel, who also batted in two runs.
Kyle Botha batted in three runs.
South Africa opened the score in the top of the first inning off of starter John Lee, who began by striking out minor league-prospect Gift Ngoepe, who currently is on the 40-man Major League-roster of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
He then gave up singles to Anthony Phillips and Jonathan Phillips, who both advanced on a wild pitch.
The bases got loaded when Kyle Botha walked.
Next, Brett Willemburg's grounder ended in a force out at second base.
A double play was attempted, but Willemburg reached first base safely.
In the meantime, the lead runner scored, then the runner coming from second base also tried to score, but he was eliminated in a rundown to complete a double play (4-6-3-2-5-1).
In the second inning, South Africa again got the bases loaded with one out.
This time, a 5-2-3 double play ended the at bat.
South Africa then took more distance by scoring four runs in the third inning.
Anthony Phillips led off with a walk, which led to a pitching change.
Blair Johnstone took over from starter John Lee.
Phillips then stole second base, his brother Jonathan Phillips walked and the two moved on a sacrifice bunt by Kyle Botha.
A force play was set up by walking Brett Willemburg intentionally.
A force out indeed followed on a grounder by Wesley Hoskins, but that also produced a run.
Hereafter, Rowan Ebersohn delivered a runscoring double and Keegan Swanepoel added a 2-run single that lifted the lead to 5-0.
The rally was much needed, as New Zealand narrowed the deficit to 5-2 in the fourth inning off of starter Jared Elario.
With one out, Boss Moanaroa walked.
With two outs, Daniel Lamb-Hunt also walked and both scored on a following double by Moko Moanaroa.
A strikeout ended the at bat and New Zealand was held scoreless in the remainder of the game.
South Africa added three more runs in the sixth inning off of reliever Scott Cone.
With two outs, Gift Ngoepe singled and Anthony Phillips walked.
Jimmy Boyce then took over the pitching, but got the bases loaded when he walked Jonathan Phillips.
Hereafter, he gave up a baseclearing, 3-run double to Kyle Botha that made it 8-2.
South Africa scored its last run in the top of the ninth via a basesloaded walk for Gift Ngoepe.
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