The New Zealand Diamondblacks secured a historic victory to stay alive in the World Baseball Classic qualifying tournament in Chinese-Taipei today, eliminating Thailand with a convincing 12-2 triumph.
Needing to beat the lowly-ranked Thais to avoid an early exit, New Zealand were in control throughout the match and the win will provide a much needed morale boost after enduring a difficult build-up in Australia, and then a 10-0 defeat to Chinese Taipei on opening night.
The winner of Sunday's final progresses to the next phase of qualifying where the successful nations join the 16 teams contesting the WBC in San Francisco in March.
-nzherald.co.nz
