Brazil flirts with seventh place, Australia come back to win in ninth

Brazil came within one strike from a win that would have meant a seventh place finish with one game to play in the Placement Round, but Australia tied the game in the seventh with their first hit and went on to win 5-4 in the ninth.

Joa Marostica and Vitor Belo didn't allow a hit to Australia for 6.2 innings and two strikes. Belo came within one strike from the win before allowing the runners he had walked to advance on a wild pitch and again before allowing a bloop single to Kyan Wallington that tied the game in the bottom of the seventh.

Both teams scored one run in the eighth, then Australia won it in the top of the ninth as Nickolas left fielder Nickolas Hawkins singled in the winning run.

Brazil out hit Australia, 7-3, with shortstop Erick Makita and third baseman Paulo Noris enjoying a two-hit game.

Reliever Riley Marsh pitched two innings and earned the win allowing only one hit.

Brazil will play Italy on the final day of the Placement Round while Australia takes on South Africa.