Red Sox star's game-winning homer sends USA to World Baseball Classic final Team USA’s roster is packed with seasoned stars, but it was their youngest player who delivered the decisive moment in the World Baseball Classic semifinal, sending the team to the final with a dramatic home run. Roman Anthony, a 21-year-old phenom with the Boston Red Sox, hit a 421-foot solo shot to center field in the top of the fourth inning against the Dominican Republic’s Gregory Soto. The blast gave Team USA their first lead of the game and ultimately secured a 2-1 victory, advancing them to the tournament’s championship matchup for the third time in history. Anthony’s home run came with one out in the fourth, setting the stage for a tense showdown. The run proved to be the game’s deciding factor, as the U.S. held off the Dominican Republic’s late rally. After the game, Anthony described the moment as surreal, telling FOX Sports’ postgame show that he “kind of just blacked out” while hitting the ball. “I was, in my head (saying to the ball), ‘Just please go, please go,’” he said, reflecting on the pressure of the moment. Anthony’s performance in the tournament has been impressive, with a .318 batting average and a 1.014 OPS in six games. He has joined a select group of players under 22 who have hit home runs in this year’s WBC, with seven such players already in the tournament. His inclusion in the U.S. team came unexpectedly in mid-February when Arizona Diamondbacks star Corbin Carroll was forced to withdraw due to a broken hamate bone. Anthony, who had just begun his major league career, was called up to fill the spot. “I didn’t expect to be here,” Anthony said, expressing gratitude for the opportunity. “Going into spring training, I thought I’d be in Fort Myers all season.#dominican_republic #world_baseball_classic #boston_red_sox #roman_anthony #derek_jeter
