Italy’s victory over Mexico sends Team USA to the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic

Team USA can breathe a sigh of relief, and they can thank Team Italy, a team that has put its World Baseball Classic hopes in tatters, after its victory over Team Mexico on Tuesday night.

With Italy’s 9-1 victory at Daikin Park, they won Pool B with an overall record of 4-0 and secured a place in the WBC quarterfinals.

But Italy also ensured that Team USA’s run in the tournament continues despite handing the star-studded team an 8-6 loss on Monday night.

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Team USA knew going into this game that they would be big fans of Italy, one of the most underrated teams in the tournament so far, but one that is very exciting to watch. They have a fun home run espresso event, which has been used for a ton including Tuesday night’s game, and a mix of veterans and top prospects who have been providing their pool on the field.

However, Vinnie Pasquantino, the team captain who plays for the Kansas City Royals, entered the tournament without a single hit in three games. Fortunately for Italy – and indirectly the US – his first three goals of the tournament were the difference makers.

Pasquantino hit three solo home runs in the win, marking the first time in WBC history that a player went yard three times in one game.

TEAM USA IS HIGHLY CONFIDENT WITH ITALY UPSET

He got Team Italy on the board first in the top of the second, hitting a 342-foot blast to right field. Then, in the top of the sixth inning, he hit an ever-perfect shot down the right field line to take a free walk around the bases again.

As he stepped up to the plate in the top of the eighth inning, Pasquantino, who had already hit two deep shots after his first two long balls, got enough to get over the right field fence for the last time.

Italy’s Jon Berti reacts after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning against Mexico during the 2026 World Baseball Classic – Pool B at Daikin Park on March 11, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Houston Astros/Getty Images)

But, like the other three matches, there was no Italian striker to show his strength. Jon Berti, who is having a great tournament so far, used Crawford’s single to left field, hitting one far enough in the top of the fourth inning to extend Italy’s lead to 2-0.

Meanwhile, Mexico couldn’t get at-bats against veteran pitcher Aaron Nola, a reliable starter for the Philadelphia Phillies who had his patented knuckle-curve working in Houston. He pitched five innings, allowing just four hits while striking out five over 69 pitches.

The game started from Mexico, again, in the top of the fifth inning, when ninth-inning Dante Nori threw a sacrifice bunt that scored Pasquantino’s Royals teammate, Jac Caglianone, to make it 3-0. Then, Miami Marlins outfielder Jakob Marsee came up with a one-out, bases-loaded single that got two runners on before being thrown out at first to end the inning.

With a 7-0 lead, Mexico, facing desperation, saw life offensively in the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded and no outs. But after Alek Thomas struck out to first, and Rowdy Tellez hit a liner to Pasquantino at second, Jarren Duran struck out because they were able to get one out in a game-changing situation.

Vinnie Pasquantino of Italy runs the bases after hitting a home run in the sixth inning against Mexico during the 2026 World Baseball Classic between Italy and Mexico at Daikin Park on March 11, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

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Pasquantino’s third race at home saw the momentum return to Team Italy, and he rode it to the final frame where he took the win.

With Italy advancing to the quarterfinals, Mexico have been eliminated as their players return to their major league camps to complete spring training.

Team USA’s quarterfinal game will be against Team Canada, winners of Pool A, at 8 pm ET at Daikin Park on March 13.

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