Italy first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino achieved history. He hit three home runs in Team Italy’s 9-1 win over Team Mexico. It was the first time in World Baseball Classic history that any player had hit three home runs in a game, and it helped advance Team USA to the quarterfinals.
Pasquantino clobbered his first homer in the top of the second against Mexico starter Javier Assad. The solo shot travelled 342 feet at a 101.8 MPH exit velocity, and it gave Italy a 1-0 lead.
His second one was another solo home run, and it came in the top of the sixth against Mexico reliever Daniel Duarte. This one went 349 feet with a 95.3 exit velocity, but it cleared the right field wall of Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. It gave Italy a 6-0 lead.
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To conclude, Pasquantino’s final long bomb was a two-run home run off Mexico reliever Robert Garcia. It went just 337 feet and had a 90.9 MPH exit velocity, but it was enough to complete the historic feat. It led to the final score of 9-1.
Pasquantino’s message to Team USA after the game:
Thanks to the win, Italy enters the quarterfinal undefeated with a 4-0 record and the No. 1 record in Pool A (Houston). They will play Puerto Rico on Saturday, March 14, at 3 p.m. ET at Daikin Park. Mexico, meanwhile, loses out on the final quarterfinal spot in Pool B to Team USA, who will play Team Canada, the No. 1 team in Pool A (San Juan). That matchup will commence on Friday, March 13 at 8 p.m. ET in Daikin Park.
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