Top Italian hitting prospect Alex Liddi torched his first homer of the World Cup and Junior Oberto combined with two relievers to lead Italy past South Africa 8-0 in Group A action on Sunday.

Liddi, who plays in the Seattle Mariners farm system, also ripped a double batting in the number five slot while leftfielder Gino Lollio added two hits and double for the Italians.

Italy sent a quick message to South Africa in the second with five runs to erase any ideas of an upset. Two more insurance runs a few innings later and the Italians had secured their third tournament win in four games.

Oberto, who helped guide Grosseto to the Italian Baseball League crown this past season, tossed six scoreless innings before hitting the showers. Cody Cillo and Alessandro Maestri both pitched a perfect inning of relief to preserve the shutout.

South African starter Matthew Dancer suffered the loss surrendering six runs on 13 hits in six innings of work. Reliever Shadley Sasman no-hit the Italian lineup the final three frames while registering three strikeouts.

Third baseman Ashley Scott was 3-for-4 and teammates Martin Gordon and Brendon Mitchell each had two hits apiece for South Africa who will meet Team USA on Tuesday.

Italy will battle Japan in a key Group A contest on Tuesday before ending their round robin schedule against Mexico thefollowing day.

Tags: World Cup