Team Israel debuted in the World Baseball Classic qualifier last night in Jupiter, Fla., with a 7–3 triumph over the South African team. Padres minor-leaguer Nate Freiman (.298/.370/.502 in Double-A) was the offensive star of the game with two home runs.

Israel will face the winner of this evening’s Spain–France contest on Friday afternoon. To follow the squad inning by inning, check out New Jersey Jewish News’s Kaplan’s Korner.