Team USA wins tense thriller to advance to World Baseball Classic Cha…

All things considered, this year’s iteration of the World Baseball Classic has delivered on all of its promise for excitement. Sunday’s game, between two powerhouses in the Dominican Republic and the United States, was a matchup that was highly anticipated, and would decide who would appear in the WBC championship game. The Classic’s semifinal game did not disappoint on this front, as high quality pitching from both sides and a couple of big solo home runs were ultimately the deciding factor.

Semifinals Game 1: United States 2, Dominican Republic 1

Adrenaline was flowing for perhaps the premier matchup for this tournament, and it was clear from the very beginning. Both starting pitchers in this one—Paul Skenes for the United States and Luis Severino for the Dominican Republic—were pumping fastballs close to triple-digits. Both hard-throwing righties looked good in their starts, though they were ultimately bit by the limited mistakes they did serve up.

This game was dictated by moments, and in a matchup of this stature, it were those by the biggest names the sport has to offer. Early on, the stars of the American League East shined in this one. It began in the bottom of the second inning, when Junior Caminero of the Rays continued his terrific tournament with a solo homer into left field. His third homer of the Classic sent loanDepot park and the D.R. dugout into a frenzy.

An inning later, the Yankees’ Aaron Judge made one of his patented rocket-like throws to third base, this one nabbing Fernando Tatis Jr. attempting to take an extra base.

The United States squad took that momentum and pumped it into the bats in the top half of the fourth. In that inning, more AL East-ers had their moment, when a solo homer from Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson tied the game up, and another from Boston’s Roman Anthony gave the U.S. the lead.

For a good stretch after the big solo bombs from the United States’ youngsters, this game was dictated by good defense and pitching that kept possible offensive opportunities at bay. Skenes stranded the bases loaded in the fourth inning, and when he was lifted in a tight spot an inning later in favor of Tyler Rogers, the side-winder induced an inning-ending double-play to put an end to another rally.

The Dominican lineup was threatening once again in the seventh, when hits from Austin Wells and Geraldo Perdomo had a couple of runners in scoring position. David Bednar, who came out of the ‘pen to being the frame, was able to record subsequent strikeouts of Tatis and Ketel Marte to escape yet another jam, as the U.S. continued to tightrope out of danger against the potent D.R. lineup.

For the U.S., the bullpen continued to deal, as Garrett Whitlock was the next man up, and he managed a seamless 1-2-3 inning against the heart of the Dominican lineup — with the aid of a generous called strike three on a man who knows the strike zone better than anyone this side of Ted Williams, Juan Soto.

For the ninth inning, yet another electric arm hit the mound for the United States, as Mason Miller was tasked with locking things down in the ninth. He did not make it the smoothest of rides, with Julio Rodríguez reaching on a walk and advancing on a wild pitch, but after an eight-pitch battle with Perdomo, the hard-throwing righty ultimately shut this one down with a strikeout.

As with Soto, the last pitch was below the zone. As with Soto, home-plate umpire Cory Blaser punched Perdomo out anyway.

The United States bullpen pitched 4.2 scoreless innings to finish this game off, which was ultimately the deciding factor. It should be mentioned as well that the relievers for the D.R., five of whom kept the U.S. scoreless for the final five innings of the game, were terrific in their own right.

I’m surely not alone in this sentiment, but it feels safe to say that this was about as high quality a baseball game as you can possibly find, and it was almost entirely a joy to watch from end-to-end. Between terrific pitching, defensive highlights, and big homers from three of the game’s biggest and youngest stars, it was a terrific exhibition of the beautiful game. It’s just a shame that a one-run affair had to end in an umpiring controversy.

The United States will play the winner of Venezuela and Italy on Tuesday at 8pm ET in the World Baseball Classic’s championship game.Team USA manager Mark DeRosa has said that talented 24-year-old Mets righty Nolan McLean will get the ball, hoping for a better outing than his start against Italy. The second semifinal will take place tomorrow night at the same time, with Venezuela’s Keider Montero set to face Italy’s Michael Lorenzen.

Box Score

Ranking best plays from USA vs. Dominican Republic, from Julio Rodriguez home run rob to Aaron Judge's rocket arm originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The United States and the Dominican Republic delivered a thriller of a semifinal matchup in the World Baseball Classic, as the U.S. won a 2-1 pitcher's duel.

With just one run separating the two, defense was crucial for both sides to keep each offense at bay. As a result, there were a handful of tremendous plays in the field, which could have swung the game with a different result.

There were only three runs scored in this game, all coming in the form of solo home runs, so the United States defense ended up being a huge difference maker. Here's a look at the five best defensive plays from the WBC semifinals.

WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC HQ:Live scores | Updated standings | Full TV schedule

Ranking best plays from USA-Dominican Republic game

5. Bobby Witt Jr. does it himself for the double play

This play wasn't exactly a stunner, but it was a crucial point in the game that came back to bite the Dominican Republic. After chasing Paul Skenes from the game, the D.R. had men on first and second with one out, and Juan Soto at the plate.

Tyler Rogers came into the game for the United States and got Soto to hit a ground ball to Witt, who touched second and threw to first for the double play.

TYLER ROGERS GETS THE DOUBLE PLAY TO END THE THREAT! pic.twitter.com/aaZlBx07C1

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 16, 2026

Looking back after the game ended, this may have been the moment that the Dominican Republic regrets the most. The D.R. had two men on, Soto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., coming up and Skenes out of the game, but one Soto ground ended any chance in the inning.

4. Brice Turang stifles Juan Soto in the first

Brice Turang's diving stop to rob Soto of a hit in the first inning got lost in the shuffle, but it was an impressive play. The 2024 gold-glover ranged to his left to prevent Soto from getting on base in the first frame, a sign of things to come for the United States.

This play wasn't huge in the grand scheme of things, but it set the tone of the night for a tremendous game.

1-2-3 inning for Paul Skenes in the 1st!

📺: FS1 and @watchfoxone
» https://t.co/oWmvjycsCipic.twitter.com/f2j2Fw2BWj

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 16, 2026

Turang is known for his defense, which is why he has started games over Alex Bregman, Gunnar Henderson or Ernie Clement at times in this tournament. Of all his impressive plays in the WBC, this was his best.

3. Bobby Witt Jr. makes diving play to get Manny Machado

Witt's second strong play of the night was a much more impressive feat, as he dove into the hole to rob Manny Machado of a base hit. Witt's glove has been one of the standouts this tournament, and this was his best play on Sunday night.

As for the context of the game, the bases were empty, so Witt essentially prevented a potential Dominican Republic rally.

BOBBY BEING BOBBY! 💪

📺: FS1 pic.twitter.com/dbzlxdwOTd

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 16, 2026

Still, Witt's ability to keep Machado off the bases kept the line moving for the United States pitching. As the Dominican Republic has such a deep lineup, every out was huge on Sunday night.

2. Aaron Judge throws out Fernando Tatis Jr. at third

Aaron Judge's defensive throw to get Fernando Tatis Jr. at third base to end the third inning was one of the highlights of the night. The Dominican Republic appeared to be rallying against Paul Skenes, looking to add to a 1-0 lead, and Judge shut that down immediately.

While Judge has been solid offensively, his defense in the WBC has been stellar. The three-time MVP has made highlight after highlight in right field, and this one may have saved multiple runs with Juan Soto on deck.

DON"T RUN ON JUDGE!

What a throw to get Tatis Jr at 3rd to end the inning!

📺: FS1 pic.twitter.com/5KwjFvD9nc

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 16, 2026

This was one of a few times that the Dominican Republic ended up stranding runners on base, allowing the United States to escape from jams. Tatis' decision also may have hurt the team later in the game, when he was more conservative as a runner on a play in which he probably should've been more aggressive.

1. Julio Rodriguez robs Aaron Judge

The best play of the night belongs to Dominican Republic center fielder Julio Rodriguez, who robbed Aaron Judge of a home run in the fifth inning. The United States was already up 2-1, and this would have doubled the lead in a tight pitcher's duel.

What makes this more impressive is that Rodriguez had just gotten medical attention after getting hit in the wrist by a pitch. Judge clearly thought he got all of this one, but Rodriguez correctly judged the ball to rob the slugger of another homer.

JULIO AT THE WALL ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? pic.twitter.com/LSh4ht5mhi

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 16, 2026

Judge was so confident that his swing would be a homer that he appeared to flip his bat right before Rodriguez caught the ball.

Did Aaron Judge bat flip? pic.twitter.com/78mCkAP6KO

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) March 16, 2026

MORE: Julio Rodriguez makes catch of WBC on Aaron Judge

Just seven months after he finally broke through at the Wyndham Championship, Cameron Young notched his first marquee PGA Tour victory at the Players Championship.

Young plays a full set of Titleist clubs, but it has become one of the more unique ones on their staff.

Last week, Young made a change, going from the Titleist GT2 he used at the Wyndham to a new, 11-degree GT3.

The higher loft of the lower-spinning GT3 head helped him further optimize his numbers, just as switching to the Pro V1x Double Dot Prototype did last summer.

The prototype Double Dot flies lower than his previous Pro V1x, so Young worked with the Titleist team to see what he needed to do to optimize the carry with his driver, Titleist Director of Player Promotion J.J. Van Wezenbeeck said.

Balls

Working together with Titleist’s Director of Tour Research & Validation, Fordie Pitts, the team determined Young needed a touch more launch. The 11-degree GT3 (lofted down by .75˚ in the D1 setting) succeeded in raising the launch from 9 degrees to 11 while only increasing the spin from 2400 to 2500 rpm.

Young was one of the first players to switch to the Double Dot last summer, taking advantage of its low-spinning properties. The ball was also briefly put into play by Bryson DeChambeau.

Clearly, the driver was working on No. 18 at TPC Sawgrass as Young pummeled a 375-yard bomb, the longest tee shot in the shot-link era on the iconic finisher.

That’s not the only change Young made from last year. He’s also switched both his fairway wood and his hybrid to the high-launch GT1 models.

The GT1 hybrid is the more intriguing switch as it lets him play with the same Diamana PD 80 TX shaft that’s in his 3-wood.

“For Cam Young, we were trying to create more of a 5-wood type golf club, so we were able to build it with a 5-wood shaft and use a .335 tip on the interior diameter, but a hybrid outside diameter [on the hosel]. We get kind of the best of both,” Van Wezenbeeck told GOLF last month.

Both GT1 clubs have front-to-back interchangeable weights, and Young plays heavier weights forward to lower ball flight and spin.

Keep reading below for all of Young’s detailed WITB specs.

Cameron Young’s winning WITB at the 2026 Players Championship

Driver: Titleist GT3 11.0
SureFit Hosel Setting: D1
SureFit CG Setting: N
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 60 TX

Titleist GT3 Custom Driver

GT3 – Speed-Tuned Distance & Control GT3 offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization. With a speed-tuned design that allows you to precisely match performance to your most frequent contact location, you can make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping. For players with a relatively consistent impact location, GT3 offers a precisely adjustable CG Track to max out distance and directional control. Seamless Thermoform Crown A reimagined ultra-lightweight design, born from a new Proprietary Matrix Polymer. The tunable acoustic properties of this unique composite allow Titleist engineers to realize new material gains while maintaining our signature sound and feel. All wrapped in a clean look that inspires total confidence. Split Mass Construction A breakthrough in internal weighting unlocks longer drives and enhanced directional control in GT3. The Adjustable CG Track now sits closer to the face for more dynamic CG control, while additional discretionary mass is pushed to the back of the club to maintain optimal stability through impact. Advanced Aerodynamics GT3 features a new raised tail contour that represents a dramatic shift in driver aerodynamics. Previously impossible to execute due to design constraints, this advanced shaping results in a driver that swings faster while still providing optimal CG control.

$649.00 $449.99 from Fairway Jockey

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Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana PD Wood Shaft

  The modern day Whiteboard. Diamana PD is the 5th Generation Diamana low launch, low spin offering a part of Mitsubishi Chemical’s Diamana line. Built with our dual-phase Xlink Tech Resin System, high modulus MR70 material and boron fiber infused hybrid prepreg, Diamana PD creates activity in the handle but stability in the tip and midsection for consistent, penetrating ball flight and never sacrifices feel.Key Features Include:- Lowest launching, lowest spinning 5th Generation Diamana offering- Active handle section with stiff middle and tip section- Low torque for less shaft twist- Consistent Feel Design to minimize variance in butt OD, weight and balance point to create simplicity during fitting process- Xlink Tech Resin System drives carbon fiber volume way up for better feel without sarcificing strength or durability- MR70 for strength- Boron to fortify tip section

$395.00 from Fairway Jockey

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3-Wood: Titleist GT1 3Tour
Loft: 14.5˚
SureFit Hosel Setting: A1
SureFit Weights: 15 g front, 7 g back
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 80 TX

Titleist GT1 3Tour Custom Fairway Wood

Lift your launch window with GT1 3Tour Fairway. Featuring a Tour-inspired player profile, shallow face, low CG, and a stronger “Tour Loft,” this fairway is designed to launch higher and fly farther without over-spinning. New adjustable fore/aft weights enable further optimization of ball speed, launch, and spin to achieve effortless fairway performance. Features High Launch and Exceptional Forgiveness Stronger Loft Adjustable Fore-Aft Spin Control Refined, Tour-Inspired Shaping Enhanced Sound and Feel

$399.00 $329.99 from Fairway Jockey

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Hybrid: Titleist GT1
Loft: 20˚
SureFit Hosel Setting: A1
SureFit Weights: 13 g front, 5 g back
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 80 TX

Titleist GT1 Custom Hybrid

$329.00 from Fairway Jockey

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1/3

2/3

3/3

Irons: Titleist ’23 T200 (4), ’23 T100 (5), 621.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: Dynamic Gold X7

Titleist 2025 T100 Custom Irons

Unmatched precision meets unrivaled feel with T100 Irons. Fully forged with more aggressive grooves in the mid/short irons, T100 offers pure player’s feel with improved consistency in variable conditions. Now with higher long-iron launch for optimal trajectory control in every club. Forged Player’s Design   Masterfully forged into a pure player’s design that offers precision control and buttery feel. Superior Flight and Stability  Split High-Density Tungsten produces optimal CG with remarkable stability for precise shotmaking. Consistent Speed & Spin  New VFT technology and progressive groove design for consistent spin and speed across the face in variable conditions. Elevated Long-Iron Launch  Lower CG and a new muscle channel help improve peak height and carry. 

$215.00 from Fairway Jockey

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1/4

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Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM11
Lofts/Grinds: 48.10F, 52.12F, 56.14F (@57), WedgeWorks 60K* (@ 62˚)
Shaft: Dynamic Gold X7 (48-57), X100 (62)

Titleist Vokey SM11 Tour Chrome Wedge

Titleist Vokey Design’s new SM11 wedges feature a new precise CG position across each grind in a loft, meaning every wedge will now perform the same way with the same strike.

$199.99 from PGA Tour Superstore

Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5R Tour Prototype
Grip: SuperStroke

Scotty Cameron 2026 Phantom 9.2R Custom Putter

$499.00 from Fairway Jockey

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Ball: 2025 Titleist Pro V1x Double Dot Prototype

Titleist Pro V1x Golf Balls

Total Performance With Higher Flight And More Spin Pro V1x golf balls are the optimal premium performance choice for players looking for maximum distance, higher flight and more stopping power. Why Play Pro V1x? Pro V1x is recommended to players who are looking for high-trajectory flight, low long game spin with maximum short game spin, and firmer feel. Comparison to Pro V1 Due to its unique dimple pattern, Pro V1x has a higher flight than Pro V1. A high-gradient dual core produces slightly more iron and wedge spin than Pro V1.

$57.99 from Fairway Jockey

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Grips:Golf Pride MCC Plus4 Align Max

Want to overhaul your bag for 2026? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

The post Cameron Young’s clubs: What’s in his Players Championship-winning bag appeared first on Golf.