Manager David Nilsson says there is a mix of emotions after Team Australia bowed out of Premier12 against Chinese Taipei yesterday, missing out on the bronze medal match.
A 5-1 loss – on four runs in the eighth inning – denied Australia a spot in the bronze medal game against Mexico in its tournament debut.
Nilsson said the team was feeling a mixture of emotions following the loss at Tokyo Dome.
“There’s a lot of disappointment about the result of the game,” he said.
“There are a lot of emotions about some of the results but I think we’ve been in every game and at some stage of every game, we’ve had an opportunity to win.
“As we continue to improve as a team I think our results will improve as well.
“(But) I’m really proud of the way Team Australia played.”
Australia made its Premier12 debut after missing out on the inaugural event for the world’s top-12 nations in 2015.
The world number seven advanced to the super round following a thrilling win in its opening round finale against Canada in South Korea.
Australia downed the US 2-1 in a historic win on Wednesday and dropped a one-run battle to world number one Japan as it finished sixth overall.
Nilsson said the overall Premier12 experience had been a positive for Australian baseball.
“We’ve had some good moments and some disappointing moments,” he said.
“As a nation we’re just trying to build.
“More exposure for us as a team to that level of competition is only going to make us better.”
Nilsson said Australia would take plenty of valuable lessons from the tournament.
“There’s always learning points at every tournament you play in and every game you play,
“As the head coach, over the next few days I’ll get with my coaches and we’ll reflect a lot.
“One (challenging) thing is the travel, and coordinating the travel, and preparing the team to make sure our players are as prepared as they can be.
“And then learning to hit against the better pitchers in the world is always tough.”
Logan Wade’s homer took Australia into the eighth inning tied with Chinese Taipei yesterday in a must-win clash.
But Chinese Taipei scored four late runs to eliminate Australia and set up a Mexico and US bronze medal game.
“It was very well pitched from both teams,” Nilsson said.
“There were a lot of opportunities for batters but ultimately Chinese Taipei got the big hit at the end and broke it open.”
With a final chance for Australia to qualify at a global qualification tournament in March next year, strong performances like the team’s historic 2-1 win over USA on Wednesday will give the team confidence.
Baseball Australia
