Australia took a 1-0 series lead after a pitcher's duel at Blacktown International Sportspark to open the best-of-three WBSC Oceania U-23 Baseball World Cup Qualifier.
The qualifier runs from 9-11 November, with World No. 11 Australia taking on No. 34 Guam as the winner will earn Oceania's spot in the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024.
The opening game saw Australia's pitching staff throw a near no-hitter, giving up just one hit across seven innings. Brodie Cooper-Vassalakis, Kai-Noa Wynyard, Kieren Hall, Will Sherriff and Dylan Clarke combined for 10 strikeouts and just two walks.
Guam’s starting pitcher Franklin Ninete Jr allowed just one run in his six innings of work with four hits and a strikeout. Guam also turned two double-plays to keep the Aussies off the board, apart from Chris Burke's RBI double in the bottom of the third.
Liam Bull, Alex Skepton and Daniel Bannon had Australia's other hits.
Guam broke the no-hitter in the last inning with a blooper off Dylan Clarke, followed by a walk for runners on first and second with one out.
Clarke maintained his composure to keep Guam from coming home, meaning Australia is one win away from punching their ticket to the U-23 World Cup in China next year.
Australia will play Guam in Game 2 of the best-of-three series Friday afternoon at 2:30PM AEDT.
