Jorge Martinez walk-off double sends Mexico to tomorrow’s medal games

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 in the final day of the Super Round. With two runners on and the score 4-3 for New Zealand, Jorge Martinez hit a two-out double down the left field line to give Mexico a win that secured for them a spot in the medal games.

In the bottom of the second, the Mexican squad scored twice to take the lead in the game. Junior Flores hit a leadoff single, advanced to second and scored from there with an Hector Garcia double down the left field line. Garcia scored on a single to right field by Manuel Zepeda.

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

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Mexico’s Junior Flores was hit by a Liam Potts pitch, and then scored the go-ahead run on a double by catcher Jorge Martinez. Mexico lead 3-2.

New Zealand tied the game in the top of the sixth. Xavier Sage bunted for a single, and advanced to second on a throwing error by third baseman Jesus Romero. Advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a wild pitch. The game is now 3-3.

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

However, in the bottom of the seventh, Liam Potts retired the first two Mexican hitters, and forced Luis Rodriguez to a grounder to second base, but Evans couldn’t handle the ball, allowing the tying run to get on 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 tomorrow's medal games, while New Zealand has been eliminated.