Israel pulls off 3-1 win over Nicaragua in its first game at World Baseball Classic

By Joshua Davidovich

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12 March 2023, 9:14 pm Edit

Joshua Davidovich is The Times of Israel's Deputy Editor

Israel third baseman Garrett Stubbs throws to first base on a hit by Nicaragua catcher Melvin Novoa during the fourth inning of a World Baseball Classic game, March 12, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/ Marta Lavandier)

After being stymied for 8 and 1/3rd innings, Israel comes from behind to beat Nicaragua 3-1, as it kicks off its 2023 World Baseball Classic campaign in Miami.

Israel, the Cinderella of the 2017 tourney, is hoping to repeat the magic that got it into the second round six years ago. The team, made up largely of pros eligible for Israeli citizenship, got off to a slow start, leaving the bases loaded twice before a one-out Spencer Horwitz blooper into shallow left field finally sends Jakob Goldfarb home in the bottom of the eighth.

The score is followed by two more, as Garrett Stubbs smacks a two-run ground-rule double over the left field wall at Loandepot Park.

Pitcher Robert Stock quickly retires the side for Israel to put the win in the books.

Israel plays three more games over the next three days against a tough field of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and then Venezuela.