Former Heartland Community College baseball standout Sam Antonacci had a moment in the spotlight Tuesday after playing a key role in Team Italy’s upset win over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic [WBC].
Antonacci, a Chicago White Sox infield prospect from Springfield, hit a two-run homer in the second inning that staked Italy to a 3-0 lead in their pool play matchup in Houston.
He later scored on a wild pitch in the sixth inning, and added a nifty backhanded defensive play at shortstop in the ninth that helped Italy hold on for an 8-6 win.
The victory moved Italy within a win of advancing to the WBC quarterfinals, heading into a matchup with Mexico on Wednesday night with idle Team USA facing possible elimination.
