Back-to-Back-to-Back Doubles by Spain's heart of the lineup in the 8th Inning turned an early 1-2 deficit into a narrow 3:2 Win for the Runners-up of 2016. Jesus Ustariz, Lesther Galvan and Fernando Martinez provided all the firepower that Spain needed to turn the match around. Croatia led for most of the rain-threatened affair after they had scored on a booming Double by Catcher Philip Smith that hit the outfield fence. But the Underdogs could not keep the lead in crunchtime. Croatian Starter Marin Tadic (7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB) pitched a nice game until the spanish Sluggers exploded for three long drives that made Croatian Manager James Summers go to his Reliever Antonio Horvatic. A 45 minute Rain Delay did not help the Croatian Cause as well. With his team leading, Spanish Manager Luis Sojo went to his bullpen and shut the Croatian Offense down completely. Antonio Noguera und Rhiner Cruz came in to pitch two perfect Innings. Starting Pitcher Jorge Balboa collected the win in seven Innings (6 H, 2 ER, 9 Ks), while Cruz got the Save in the ninth Inning. Galvan, Martinez und Shortstop Jhonny Bethencourt each had two Hits, Croatias Kruno Gojkovic scored both runs for his squad.
