Austin Wells called game for the Dominican Republic on Friday.<\/p>\n
In the seventh inning of a quarterfinal matchup against Korea, the Yankees backstop blasted a three-run homer down the right field line, putting the D.R. up 10-0 and thus enacting the tournament\u2019s 10-run mercy rule.<\/p>\n
With Friday\u2019s win, the D.R. advances to the semifinals, making its first appearance there since 2013, where it wound up winning its first and only WBC championship.<\/p>\n
Wells\u2019 home run put the D.R. up 10-0, thus enacting the WBC\u2019s mercy rule. AP<\/p>\n
The game was lopsided from the start, with the D.R. quickly notching seven runs across the second and third innings.<\/p>\n
They were also to keep Korea\u2019s hitters at bay, giving up just two hits and a walk through the seven-inning game.<\/p>\n
Phillies southpaw Cristopher Sanchez started the game for the Dominican Republic, striking out eight through five innings of work.<\/p>\n
Albert Abreu finished the game, throwing two perfect innings while striking out three.<\/p>\n
Dominican Republic\u2019s Austin Wells (28) gets doused as he celebrates with teammates after hitting a three-run home run to end the game early in the seventh inning of a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game against South Korea, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Miami. AP<\/p>\n
Wells\u2019 blast gave the D.R. its 14th home run of the tournament, tying a WBC record previously held by Mexico from the 2009 competition.<\/p>\n
Manager Albert Pujols said that this year\u2019s team has unmatched energy, and it\u2019s something unique to the culture of the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just don\u2019t think you can,\u201d Pujols said Friday when asked how the energy could be replicated in the MLB, according to The Athletic<\/a>. \u201cThat\u2019s in our blood, that\u2019s in our DNA. That\u2019s how we play baseball.<\/p>\n Austin Wells of Team Dominican Republic celebrates his three-run home run with teammates in the seventh inning of the quarterfinal game against Team Korea in the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot park on March 13, 2026 in Miami, Florida. Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cThat responsibility that we have wearing this jersey, especially representing our country \u2014 the culture, the attitude, the way the guys go about it \u2014 I mean, you\u2019re born with that, and sometimes, you know, that\u2019s even harder to teach.\u201d <\/p>\n Outfielder Julio Rodriguez has also opened up on his country pride<\/a>, saying that winning for the Dominican Republic would mean more to him than taking home a World Series title with the Mariners.<\/p>\n