Italy wasted little time building a big lead on Mexico on Wednesday in Houston. (AP/Ashley Landis) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ryan YoungStaff writerThu, March 12, 2026 at 1:00 AM UTC·3 min readWell, the United States is almost certainly moving on after all.
Italy jumped up big on Mexico early on Wednesday, taking a 5-0 lead through five innings at Daikin Park in Houston. That, thanks to the tiebreaker scenario, all but ensures that the United States will get into the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic after its stunning loss to Italy on Tuesday.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSo long as Italy holds to grab the win in nine innings, which would give it the Pool B victory, the United States will advance to the knockout stage as the runner-up. Even if Mexico comes back to grab the win in regular, the runs it would need to do so would give the United States the tiebreaker over Italy. The remaining scenario in which the U.S. gets eliminated involves a close Mexico victory in the 12th inning or later.
Had Mexico beaten Italy in a low-scoring game, it would have been much more complicated for the United States to find a way into the next round.
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Vinnie Pasquatino hit a solo home run to put Italy up early in the second inning, though the ball just barely made it past the glove of Mexican right fielder Jarren Duran.
Jon Berti then doubled that lead in the fourth inning with a deep shot over the left-field wall.
Although Mexico swapped pitchers in the fifth after Javier Assad ended his day with five strikeouts, the Italians quickly added another run when a perfect bunt scored Jac Caglianone.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThen it was Jakob Marsee who hit a two-run single that gave Italy the 5-0 lead the United States needed to see.
Pasquatino, for good measure, hit another home run to open the sixth inning and push Italy’s lead even more.
Italy jumped to an 8-0 lead over Team USA on Tuesday and then held on for an 8-6 win to take the lead in Pool B. But thanks to their six late runs, the Americans still had a shot to advance. They just had to sweat it out in Houston.
Assuming Italy finishes with the Pool B victory and the United States sneaks through to the next round, the Americans will take on Canada in their quarterfinal matchup on Saturday. Canada beat Cuba earlier Wednesday to finish 3-1 and win Pool A.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThey certainly almost let their shot get away, but the United States is still alive in the World Baseball Classic.
This post will be updated with more information shortly.
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