March 12 (UPI) — Vinnie Pasquantino homered a record three times to lead undefeated Italy past Mexico in a pool play finale of the World Baseball Classic on Wednesday in Houston.
The Kansas City Royals first baseman/designated hitter entered the night 0 for 12 in the tournament, without a three home run game in his baseball career, including in Little League. He is now the only player in history to accomplish the feat in the World Baseball Classic.
With the 9-1 victory, Italy remained perfect (4-0) while also helping Team USA (3-1) clinch another quarterfinal spot as the second-best team in Pool B. The Mexicans (2-2) were eliminated from the tournament.
“The job is not done yet,” Italy manager Francisco Cervelli said on the FS1 broadcast from Daikin Park. “We’ve got to get to Miami [for the semifinals and final].
“I need to experience that.”
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola allowed four hits over five shutout innings for the Italians. Pasquantino homered in the second, sixth and eighth innings.
The Italian captain, who came up with the idea to celebrate each of the team’s homers with dugout espresso shots, went 3 for 4 with three RBIs and three runs scored.
“It’s just a good night, that’s it,” Pasquantino told reporters at his postgame news conference. “This will be forgotten very soon. … It’s special. I wasn’t really thinking about it.”
Second baseman Jon Berti went 2 for 3 with a solo homer. Miami Marlins outfielder Jakob Marsee, Andrew Fischer and Dante Nori also drove in runs for the Italians.
Pasquantino opened the scoring with a 342-foot solo homer off the first pitch of