(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photo by Henk Seppen)
    Australia wins first World Baseball Classic Qualifier
Nederlands
 BLACKTOWN, Greater Western Sydney, New South Wales (Australia) -
Australia will return again to the World Baseball Classic next year, as it won 12-5 on Sunday-afternoon (February 14) vs. South Africa in the Final in this years first World Baseball Classic Qualifier.
The event was held at Blacktown Baseball Stadium, which is located in Blacktown, just outside of Sydney.
While Australia was the favorite and the win appears to be big, it didn't come that easy.
The score was tied at 1-1 after four innings.
Australia then took a 3-1 lead in the fifth, but trailed 4-3 in the sixth.
The home team then came alongside and led only 6-5 when the bottom of the eighth inning began.
Australia then decided the game with a 6-run rally.
On Friday-evening, Australia won 4-1 vs. South Africa to become the first finalist, as expected.
On Saturday-evening, South Africa reached the Final by winning 9-2 vs. New Zealand, which was therefore eliminated.
The Philippines was already eliminated on Friday.
Australia also participated in the first three editions of the World Baseball Classic, but was eliminated in the first round each time.
On March 17, the next two Qualifying Tournaments will get underway.
In Mexicali (México), the four participating countries are México, Czech Republic, Germany and Nicaragua.
In Panama City (Panama), Panama, Colombia, France and Spain will be the participating teams.
The fourth and last tournament will be played in September in Brooklyn (USA).
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 14)
Related Articles:
 South Africa second finalist in World Baseball Classic Qualifier. (February 13, 2016)
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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Australia collected 17 basehits, including three by Trent Oeltjen, who also scored twice and batted in two runs.
Mitch Dening scored three runs, while Trent D'Antonio batted in three runs.
Brad Harman and Allan de San Miguel homered for the Aussies, while Gift Ngoepe and Kyle Botha homered for South Africa.