Israel's national baseball team. (screenshot) screenshot

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Israel’s national baseball team crushed South Africa on Sunday, securing a place at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

By United with Israel Staff and TPS

For the first time in Israel’s history, the national baseball team qualified for the Olympics.

This historic occasion also represents the first time since the 1970s that a team from the Jewish state will have an opportunity to take home an Olympic medal in a team sport.

Israel won four out of five games played at the 2020 Olympics qualifiers in Italy, beginning the tournament by defeating each of the three European Baseball Team 2019 Championship medalists: Netherlands, Italy and Spain.

Israel then lost to the Czech team, but came back to defeat South Africa and qualify for the first spot in the Olympics.

In the last game, Israel trounced South Africa in a lopsided 11-1 route, though the game remained close until the seventh inning. In the eighth inning, Israel scored six runs.

The Israeli squad includes a combination of former major league players and current minor leaguers, in addition to talent groomed right here in the Holy Land.

Retired MLB journeyman Danny Valencia dinged a three-run homer in the eighth inning that all but insured the win for Israel.

Israel honored 40-year-old Shlomo Lipetz with entering the game as the team’s closer for this historic victory.

Send Passover Packages to Needy Israeli Soldiers - Bring Them Joy!

We are honored to thank the young men and women of the IDF who risk their lives every day to protect the citizens of Israel. Since October 7th, soldiers have been on the battlefield for months - many are hoping to come home for Passover.

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Many soldiers spend the Passover holiday with needy families back home. The soldiers greatly appreciate your love and concern. Bring them Passover joy!

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