Italy Stuns US In World Baseball Classic Opener
Italy Stuns US In World Baseball Classic Opener...
Italy pulled off a shocking 6-3 victory over Team USA in the opening game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Thursday night in Phoenix. The upset marks Italy's first-ever win against the US in tournament history and immediately shakes up Pool C standings.
The game is trending across US sports platforms as fans react to the defending champions' early stumble. Team USA entered as heavy favorites with a roster featuring MLB stars like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, and Paul Goldschmidt. Italy countered with a mix of MLB role players and European league standouts.
Italian catcher Vito Friscia, a Philadelphia Phillies minor leaguer, delivered the decisive blow with a three-run homer in the fifth inning off USA pitcher Kyle Freeland. The US squad left nine runners on base and committed two costly errors in the loss.
Social media erupted with reactions to the upset, with #USAvsITA trending on Twitter. Many fans noted Italy's emotional dugout celebrations, while others criticized Team USA's lack of urgency. The game drew strong TV ratings on FS1 despite its late-night East Coast finish.
The result creates immediate pressure for Team USA, who now face must-win games against Canada and Colombia to advance. Italy, meanwhile, takes early control of Pool C before facing Venezuela on Saturday. The tournament continues through March 21 with the finals in Miami.
This marks the second consecutive WBC where Team USA has dropped its opener after losing to Mexico in 2023. Manager Mark DeRosa told reporters postgame: "We got outplayed tonight. No excuses. This tournament doesn't care about your resume."
Baseball analysts highlight how the upset reflects the WBC's growing competitiveness. Italy's roster includes 15 players with MLB experience, including Pirates infielder Nicky Lopez and former All-Star pitcher Matt Harvey. The team is managed by Hall of Famer Mike Piazza.
The US will look to rebound Friday night against Canada in a game now carrying major pool play implications. First pitch is set for 9pm ET at Chase Field, with probable starters Jack Flaherty (USA) versus Nick Pivetta (Canada).
