Italy has advanced to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic for the first time in tournament history after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals. The game, played at loanDepot park in Miami, was decided in the tenth inning on a walk-off sacrifice fly by Vinnie Pasquantino that scored Sal Frelick.
The Italian team, managed by Mike Piazza, built its roster with players of Italian descent from Major League Baseball and its minor league systems. Key contributors included starting pitcher Joe La Sorsa and reliever Matt Festa, who held a powerful Puerto Rican lineup featuring stars like Francisco Lindor and Javier Bรกez in check.
Italy's path to the semifinals included a pivotal 7-1 victory over the Netherlands in pool play. The team will now face Japan in the semifinal round, with the winner advancing to the championship game against either the United States or Cuba.
