Jakub Hajny's inside-the-park home run propels Czechia past Singapore

Jakub Hajny's two-run inside-the-park home run capped Czechia's five-run surge in the third inning that drove them to a 5-3 win over Singapore, their second victory in the WBSC U-23 Men's Softball World Cup. Czechia improved their record to 2-2 and will close the Opening Round on Tuesday against Australia.

A pair of homers gave Czechia the lead in the game in the third frame. Vojtech Buchner went yards over the centre field fence with two runners on base to give Czechia the lead. And two batters later, Hajny hit a two-run inside-the-park home run to lodge a 5-0 lead.

In the fifth, Singapore reduced the deficit to 5-2. Max Koh knocked in Audric Chia with a single up the middle, and then scored on a wild pitch. In the bottom of the seventh, Koh scored his team’s third run with a sacrifice fly off the bat of Ean Eu, but could not complete the comeback, as Huzaifie Bin Mohamad flied to centre field for the out 21 of the game.

With a 2-2 record, Czechia remain in contention for a Super Round spot. Singapore will close the Opening Round against Argentina, looking for their first win of the competition.