After losing each pool game in their first World Baseball Classic appearance in 2023, Nicaragua was smooth sailing to its first-ever WBC win Saturday afternoon against the Netherlands, leading 3-1 after eight innings of action at loanDepot Park.
But, as we all know, it’s not over until it’s over.
With 26 outs recorded and just one more to go for Nicaragua’s reliever Angel Obando, the Netherlands, with their backs against the wall in the bottom of the ninth inning, rallied back from there and responded with authority.
As Ceddanne Rafaela started it all off by hitting a single, Xander Bogaerts, following suit, smacked a double, creating a prime opportunity for Ozzie Albies. So, with Bogaerts, the tying run, only 180 feet away standing at second base, Rafaela at third, and one out to spare, trailing 3-1, what was Albies thinking as he stepped into the batter’s box?
“I just needed a hit to keep the rally going or tie the game because we have speed on the bases. If he (Obando) brings his best pitches, the fastball, I’ve got to put my best swing on it.”
And in that moment, he did just that. From the top rope, with no hesitation, on the very first pitch seen, Albies dropped the hammer.
And by hammer, a three-run walk-off home run—the first-ever walk-off home run in World Baseball Classic history—which lifted the Netherlands (1-1) to a miraculous 4-3 comeback win over Nicaragua (0-2) and 16,987 of those in attendance into a frenzy.
When asked of his reaction once connecting on the pitch, Albies explained the moment as a “time to celebrate.”
“It hit the perfect spot on the bat so I was really happy it happened at the right time. These are very energetic moments. I won’t forget that ever. Tomorrow we are going to have a new game, and we’re going to continue working, and tomorrow I hope that the bats get hot instead of cold like today.”
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