Jorge Martinez walk-off double sends Mexico to medal game

A costly defensive error by New Zealand second baseman Brock Evans in the bottom of the seventh opened the door for a 5-4 walk-off win for Mexico on the final day of the Super Round. With two runners on and New Zealand on the lead at 4-3, Jorge Martinez hit a two-out double down the left field line that gave Mexico a win to secure a spot in the WBSC U-23 Men's Softball World Cup medal games.

In the bottom of the second, the Mexican squad scored twice to take the lead in the game as Junior Flores hit a leadoff single to advance to second and scored from there after Hector Garcia doubled down the left field line. Garcia followed up to score the next run on a single to left field by Manuel Zepeda.

In the third frame, with the bases loaded and two outs, Brock Evans hit a clutch two-run single up the middle for New Zealand to tie the game at 2-2. In the play, Brock Attewell was thrown out at third base by Mexican centre fielder Abelardo Penuelas.

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Junior Flores was hit by a Liam Potts pitch, eventually scoring the go-ahead run on a double by catcher Jorge Martinez to get the lead back for Mexico at 3-2.

New Zealand tied the game once more in the top of the sixth, as Xavier Sage bunted for a single and advanced to second on a throwing error by third baseman Jesus Romero. Sage then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a wild pitch.

In the top of the seventh, Brock Attewell sent a line-drive over the center field for a no-doubter, giving New Zealand their first lead in the game at 4-3.

In the bottom of the seventh, Liam Potts retired the first two Mexican hitters and forced Luis Rodriguez to a grounder to second base. However, Evans could not handle the ball, which allowed the tying run for Mexico to get to base. Junior Flores then singled with a hard line drive to short stop and Jorge Martinez hit his walk-off double down the left field line to end the game.

With this result, Mexico secured a spot in Sunday's medal games, while New Zealand have concluded their run in the tournament.