Exceeding expectations, Team Israel beat higher-ranking teams and progressed to the second round of the World Baseball Classic.
Team Israel came into the 2017 World Baseball Classic as an underdog, but now the players are on their way to Tokyo for the second round.
Just 41st in world rankings, Israel shocked third-ranked South Korea 2-1 in its opening game and then beat fourth-ranked Taiwan 15-7 on Tuesday. On Thursday, Israel beat the Netherlands 4-2 to finish in first place in Pool A with a 3-0 record.
Next up for Team Israel is the second round in Tokyo with a chance to advance to the semifinals.