Sports

Britannia Rules the Bases

PHOENIX, AZ, USA – The Great Britain National Baseball team, featuring eight Bahamian players and two coaches secured the nation’s first-ever win in the World Baseball Cup on Monday night, beating Colombia 7-5.

Published

2 years ago

March 14, 2023

Taige Adderley

Bahamians Power Great Britain to First WBC Victory on Commonwealth Day

PHOENIX, AZ, USA – The Great Britain National Baseball team, featuring eight Bahamian players and two coaches secured the nation’s first-ever win in the World Baseball Classic on Monday night, beating Colombia 7-5.

BJ Murray recorded Great Britain’s first hit when he doubled to center in the 2nd inning. That would be his only hit of the game, however, he drove a sacrifice fly to deep left field in the 4th inning, driving in Harry Ford to score Britain’s first run of the game.

BJ Murray with a sac fly and GB is on the board in the 4th! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/CKTMF5EW7K

— WBC (@WBCContent) March 13, 2023

Bahamians would go on to spark a rally in the 4th inning that allowed GB to take the game over. Chavez Young singled to left to drive in two runs to tie the game at 3 apiece, which he celebrated by having himself a spot of tea.

Go ahead, Chavez Young!

Clutch 2-out base hit to tie this game up for Great Britain!

: WBC on FS2 pic.twitter.com/cm3rzBlzSe

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 13, 2023

He would show his incredible outfield range, making a huge catch in right field in the 5th to keep Colombia from retaking the lead because, like the British Empire at the turn of the 19th century, Chavez Young is everywhere.

Chavez Young is having a DAY

pic.twitter.com/r4DkiYOuNy

— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) March 13, 2023

The team would take the lead in the 5th when 20-year-old British-born phenom Jaden Rudd doubled, driving in two runs. Fellow 20-year-old prospect Harry Ford would deliver the coup de grace to Colombia in the 7th inning when he hit a solo homer to put Great Britain up, 6-3.

Bahamian pitcher Chavez Fernander got in the game in the top of the 7th inning, however, he was pulled in the 8th after giving up 2 hits and two runs. Trayce Thompson went 0-3 at the plate, however, he had two walks. Anfernee Seymour went 0-4 from the plate.

Here’s a clip of BJ Murray recording the first out of the 5th showing his incredible glovework, because this is a great play and I really want to stress that Bahamians played an important role in this win.