The 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) is underway. This year, 15 Milwaukee Brewers players are on WBC rosters. One of those players is a highly regarded outfield prospect in Sal Frelick. Frelick is playing for Team Italy and he recently played a crucial role in Italy’s extra inning victory over Cuba.
Sal Frelick played a crucial role in Team Italy’s extra inning victory over Cuba.
In the early morning hours (United States time) on March 9, Italy and Cuba were squaring off in a WBC match up in Taichung, Taiwan. The outcome ended up being a 6-3 victory for Team Italy that required extra innings. From a Brewers perspective, it was Sal Frelick who crossed home plate first in extra innings to give Italy the lead.
The highest ranked prospect in the #WorldBaseballClassic came through for Team Italy!@Brewers‘ Sal Frelick picked up a hit in the 6th and stole third before scoring the go-ahead run in the 10th vs. Cuba. pic.twitter.com/GuGJGBi0yq
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 9, 2023
Sal Frelick and Italy beat Cuba in extra innings in their WBC opener this morning. Frelick went 1 for 5 with two runs and a stolen base. He scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th.
— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) March 9, 2023
Sal Frelick helped Team Italy win its World Baseball Classic opener with a hit and some aggressive baserunning, writes @MattMonagan. “I trust these guys,” manager Mike Piazza said. “I mean, I want them to think, and I want them to be smart.” https://t.co/1dwnJjl2mP
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) March 9, 2023
Frelick, who hit lead off for Italy in this game, finished the day 1-5 with one stolen base and two runs scored. His stolen base came in extra innings in which he was the ghost runner on second to begin the inning. He then crossed home plate on a single to center field from John Valente to put Italy up 3-2 in the 10th inning. Italy would go on to win 6-3.
The victory pushed Italy to 1-0 in the 2023 WBC. Italy, and Sal Frelick, will play again on March 10 at 6:00 AM ET.
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