Italy beat Mexico 9-1 on March 11, 2026, at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, finishing Pool B with a perfect 4-0 record and advancing to the quarterfinals.[1][2]

The victory also secured advancement for the United States from Pool B, despite Italy's 8-6 win over the U.S. team the previous day on March 10. Pool B included the United States, Mexico, Italy and Great Britain, with games held March 6-11 at Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros.[1][2]

Vinnie Pasquantino, Italy's captain and first baseman for Major League Baseball's Kansas City Royals, hit three solo home runs -- one in the second inning, one in the sixth and one in the eighth -- in what was reported as the first three-homer game by a player in World Baseball Classic history.

Jon Berti, an infielder for MLB's Cleveland Guardians with Italian heritage who has previously represented Italy internationally, added a solo home run in the fourth inning. Philadelphia Phillies starter Aaron Nola pitched five innings for Italy, allowing four hits and striking out five.

Italy extended its lead in the fifth inning on a sacrifice bunt by Dante Nori that scored Jac Caglianone, another Kansas City Royals player, followed by a two-run single from Miami Marlins prospect Jakob Marsee. Mexico scored its lone run in the seventh after loading the bases but stranded further opportunities.

The top two teams from each of the four pools advance to quarterfinals scheduled for March 13-15 at loanDepot park in Miami and Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Specific matchups pair the Pool B winner against the Pool C runner-up, with Pool B runner-up facing the Pool A winner.[1][3]

Pool A was contested in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, featuring the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Panama and Cuba.[1]

Sources

1. MLB.com
   World Baseball Classic 2026 pools, venues announced
   May 9, 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-pools-venues-announced
2. World Baseball Classic official site
   2026 World Baseball Classic Pools & Venues Announced
   May 9, 2024
   https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/news/2026-world-baseball-classic-pools-venues-announced
3. MLB.com
   World Baseball Classic announces 2026 format, dates
   November 16, 2023
   https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-format-dates
4. MLB.com
   Vinnie Pasquantino player profile
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/player/vinnie-pasquantino-686983