Softball: Argentina debuts at World Cup in New Zealand with Zara from Bahia

Led by Bahia native Juan Cruz Jara, the Argentina men’s softball team will begin its journey at the WBS World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand from today to December 4.

Jara will be one of 13 world champions and gold medalists at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games that will make up the list of Albiceleste players who also won gold at the Pan American Championships earlier in the year.

The Albiceleste, who are currently number one in the world rankings of the specialty, make their debut today against Cuba in their first Group A match.

Czech Republic (5th), New Zealand (6th), USA (7th), Cuba (12th) and Philippines (21st) are also in this zone. Meanwhile, Japan (2nd), Canada (3rd), Australia (4th), Venezuela (9th), Denmark (10th) and South Africa (11th) will compete in Group B.

The matchup for the first leg is as follows: vs. Cuba, 26-11 at 0:30; vs. Philippines, 27-11 at 1; v New Zealand, 28-11 at 3:30; vs. Czech Republic, 11-29 at 0:30; vs. USA, 11-29 at 9:30 p.m.

The squad of players is as follows: Santiago Carril (OF), Federico Eder (IF), Manuel Godoy (IF), Roman Godoy (P), Martín González (P), Francisco Lombardo (IF), Ladislao Malarckzuc (IF), Huemul Mata (P ), Teo Migliavacca (OF), Mariano Montero (OF), Bruno Motroni (C), Gonzalo Ojeda (IF), Alan Peker (OF), Lucio Retamar (OF), Gian Scialacomo (IF), Juan Cruz Zara (C) . Substitutes: Pablo Migliavacca, Federico Ohlheiser and Franco Ortellado. DD: Julio Carmasi.

Argentina became the men’s softball world champion in 2019 with a historic 3-2 victory over Japan in 10 innings in the World Cup final. Weeks later, the national team won the gold medal at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.