Brook, Page-Allen One-Hit Nicaragua in Australia’s U-23 Opener

Lachlan Brook and Will Page-Allen combined on a one-hitter as Australia shut out tournament host Nicaragua 3-0 in its opening game of the 2026 WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup on Friday night in Managua.

The Australian pitchers retired the final 16 batters at Estadio Nacional Soberanía, protecting a lead built in the first and third innings. Nicaragua managed only one hit and did not put a runner on base after the second inning.

Brook escapes Nicaragua’s only threat

Brook worked four scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out two on 52 pitches. Nicaragua loaded the bases with two outs in the second, but the left-hander induced a ground ball to end what became the host nation’s only serious scoring opportunity.

Brook then retired the side in order in the third and fourth, setting down seven consecutive hitters before handing the ball to Page-Allen.

Page-Allen was perfect over the final three innings. The right-hander retired all nine hitters he faced and struck out two, completing the shutout and earning the save.

Australia scores early with three hits

Australia took control in the bottom of the first against Melvin Hernández. Solomon Maguire walked, John Lemm doubled and Max Stagg drew another walk before Quinn Johnson forced home the first run with a bases-loaded walk. Cal Fingleson’s ground ball made it 2-0.

Johnson added Australia’s third run with an RBI single in the third. The Australians finished with only three hits, but Lemm collected two of them and also caught the combined one-hitter.

Hernández allowed three runs on two hits and four walks in 2 2/3 innings. Nicaragua’s bullpen kept the game close, but its lineup could not solve Brook or Page-Allen after Zamir Chávez’s second-inning single.

Australia starts Pool A with statement win

The victory moved Australia to 1-0 in Pool A alongside Puerto Rico and Chinese Taipei. The top three teams in each six-team group advance to the Super Round.

Australia next faces Puerto Rico, which opened the tournament with a 2-1 walk-off victory over Panama. Nicaragua will try to recover against Chinese Taipei.