WBC 2026: Israel Shuts Out Nicaragua 5-0 for First WBC Shutout, Evens Record

Israel bounced back from its opening loss to Venezuela with a 5-0 shutout of Nicaragua in Pool D on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami—the first shutout in Israel's WBC history. The result assured Israel of a spot in the next Classic (it cannot finish lower than fourth in the pool). Manager Brad Ausmus said of facing Nicaragua's roster: "It's a little bit more old-school baseball when you don't have as much information. It's like high school baseball in terms of preparation." Whatever scouting Israel had worked: Dean Kremer (Orioles)—the only player on all three of Israel's WBC rosters—held Nicaragua scoreless over four innings, retiring 12 of the first 13 hitters.

Noah Mendlinger's second-inning RBI single gave Israel a 1-0 lead. Carlos Rodriguez (Brewers) limited Israel to one run over four innings for Nicaragua, but Israel broke it open in the fifth: Zach Levenson drove in two runs, Harrison Bader and Cole Carrigg added an RBI apiece in a four-run frame. Josh Mallitz (Padres, Double-A) escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fifth—Jake Gelof turned a 5-3 double play on Freddy Zamora—and Kremer said: "I don't know that I've ever yelled like that before. I don't usually get super hyped, but that one was different." Nicaragua was held to two singles and was officially eliminated (0-3). Dusty Baker said: "If you've got a game to play, you play to win, no matter what's at stake. I don't like the word 'spoiler' because that's a loser's mentality." Israel (1-1) faces the Dominican Republic Monday noon ET (FS1) and the Netherlands Tuesday 7 p.m. ET (FOX Sports App). Nicaragua faces Venezuela Monday 7 p.m. ET (FS2). The top two teams from Pool D advance to the quarterfinals in Houston (March 13–14).

How the game unfolded

Kremer set the tone with four scoreless; Mallitz's bases-loaded escape in the fifth kept Nicaragua off the board. Mendlinger's RBI single in the second held up until the four-run fifth. Ausmus said the communication was "outstanding"—guys came back to the dugout and told the next hitter what they saw. Cole Carrigg said: "Every game in this pool play is a must-win game. We've got a tough one tomorrow with the D.R., but it's a one-game series, and you never know." Ausmus said Saturday's loss felt like "a stab in the heart" and that Sunday's win was "taking the knife out of the heart for a minute. You've got to enjoy every win." Kremer said it's "huge not to have to go through qualifying again—for not only us as a team, but the country as a whole that I'm more than proud to represent."

Pool D context and what's next

Pool D at loanDepot Park in Miami is one of the toughest groups in the 2026 WBC. Dominican Republic (3-0) and Venezuela (2-0) lead; Israel (1-1) and the Netherlands (1-2) remain in contention; Nicaragua (0-3) is eliminated. Pool play runs through March 11; every game will shape who advances to Houston.

Names to watch for AthX

Dean Kremer (Orioles), Harrison Bader, Noah Mendlinger, Zach Levenson, Cole Carrigg, and Jake Gelof are key names for Israel. Nicaragua has Carlos Rodriguez (Brewers) and Freddy Zamora. WBC performance does not affect dynamic pricing—AthX prices are driven by MLB performance—but a strong tournament can boost narrative and demand before Opening Day.

What It Means for AthX

WBC stats don't count in dynamic pricing; AthX share prices are based on MLB playing time and results. Still, WBC results can shape narrative and demand for players on both rosters. Use the WBC as a lead-in to see who's in form, then browse the marketplace to see how MLB players are valued on AthX.

*Sources: MLB.com – Dominant Israel pitching holds Nicaragua to 2 singles, evening Classic record; official WBC Pool D results. Fact-checked March 8, 2026.*