Refocused US rebounds from Italy shocker, beats Canada to reach WBC semifinals

HOUSTON (AP) — The United States is heading to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic after a “different level of focus” helped this All-Star-studded team rebound from a shocking loss.

The U.S. beat Canada 5-3 on Friday night for a spot in the semifinals Sunday against the Dominican Republic. The big win came after an 8-6 loss to Italy in pool play left them needing help to advance to Friday's game.

“Guys really locked in,” Yankees star Aaron Judge said. “We saw a different level of focus at our workout the other day and then even pregame today. It felt like the boys were locked and ready to go.”

The loss to Italy elicited criticism of the team and particularly manager Mark DeRosa after he prematurely said on a television interview the morning of the loss to Italy that: “Our ticket’s punched to the quarterfinals.”

Judge said he knows a lot of people had negative things to say about them after the Italy game, but they didn’t pay it any mind.

“There’s a lot of noise that’s been going on with that,” he said. “And I think it just speaks volumes to the players in this room, the manager we’ve got, everybody, that no matter what’s being said about us, what’s going on, we still got a job to do on the field.”

First baseman Bryce Harper echoed Judge’s sentiments that they didn’t worry about what outsiders were saying about the team.

“People are going to have their opinion about us,” he said. “I don’t think any of them are going to be sitting at our dinner table or our Thanksgiving dinner, so it doesn’t really matter what anybody says, that’s always been my call on that kind of stuff.”

The Americans did eventually punch their ticket to the quarterfinals when Italy beat Mexico to win Pool B and give the U.S. second place.

Starter Logan Webb, who threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings Friday night, said the team's path to the semifinals was not ideal but he was proud that the guys got the job done.

“It kind of feels like a second chance and... I felt like it was a newfound energy today,” he said.

Third baseman Alex Bregman appreciated the professionalism in the clubhouse as the team dealt with the adversity from the loss to Italy.

“One of the biggest things that you see around all these great players is everyone’s present and they’re not worried about the future or the past,” he said. “They’re worried about that game, that moment, that pitch, the next pitch. And it was just a good, good response today."

Now the challenge gets even bigger as the U.S. faces a Dominican t eam that beat South Korea 10-0 Friday in seven innings to advance to the semifinals.

The Americans will send reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes to the mound Sunday to contend with a roster that is also chock full of All-Stars.

“I expect it to be like one of the best games of all time,” DeRosa said.

Judge is thrilled that the team is heading to Miami and can’t wait for what’s waiting for the U.S. there.

“The boys are excited, that’s for sure,” he said. “Definitely getting a taste for playoff atmosphere in March, definitely gets the juices flowing a little bit.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Fans cheer for the United States during the sixth inning of a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game against Canada, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

United States third baseman Alex Bregman (2) catches a pop fly by Canada first baseman Josh Naylor (12) during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

United States right fielder Aaron Judge, left, and first baseman Bryce Harper, right, celebrate as they score during the third inning of a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game against Canada, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

United States right fielder Aaron Judge (99) celebrates with teammates Brice Turang, left, and Byron Buxton, center, after their win over Canada in a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

United States catcher Cal Raleigh, left, and pitcher Mason Miller, right, celebrate after their win over Canada in a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama receiver Ryan Williams has a new name and a new number for 2026.

One of the team's most notable players made two notable changes during the offseason. He added Coleman to his now-hyphenated last name to honor his mother and switched from No. 2 to No. 1, returning to the digit he wore in high school for in-state powerhouse Saraland.

Both moves could kick-start a bounceback season for the speedy wideout who struggled to catch the ball last year.

“I have a legacy that I want to write,” Coleman-Williams said Friday. "My mom is a strong part of that. She's my best friend and the name Coleman comes from her. So just want to represent my family to the best of my ability.

“As far as my number, it's just an opportunity to have a hard reset, make me feel like myself again and get ready for a season that doesn't disappoint.”

A preseason All-America selection in 2025, Coleman-Williams had only one 100-yard receiving game last season — in Week 3 against Wisconsin — and led the Football Bowl Subdivision with 13 drops. He finished with 49 receptions for 689 yards and four touchdowns after capturing national attention with 45 catches for 857 yards and eight scores as a freshman.

Alabama reached the College Football Playoff but was dominated in the Rose Bowl, losing 38-3 to eventual national champion Indiana.

“Not necessarily a disappointing (season), but I learned a lot of lessons,” Coleman-Williams said. “I'm just thankful for those lessons and thankful for the opportunity to put some better on display this season.”

Alabama is looking for Coleman-Williams to step into a larger leadership role. He is one of only two returning starters on offense — and the only upperclassman. The Crimson Tide will have a new starting quarterback in 2026, and within Coleman-Williams's position group, there's a new position coach (Derrick Nix) and five new players.

Through the first week of spring practice, coach Kalen DeBoer voiced confidence in how Coleman-Williams has adjusted.

“It feels like he’s seeing an opportunity,” DeBoer said. “He continues to raise the work, raise the level and be efficient in it. He’s always worked. I think where he’s focusing that attention is really intentional. It’s great to see his leadership capabilities. Last year I felt like he took a great step, and now it’s on another level. Our team needs that.”

Coleman-Williams said he “1,000%” feels like his old self through the first few days of practice. That's welcome news as the Crimson Tide's quarterback competition, featuring Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, is one of the most high profile in college football. Creating a bond with Coleman-Williams could be key to winning the job.

And with so many new faces on that side of the ball, getting Coleman-Williams back into his freshman form should help him and the offense maximize their potential.

“He’s so naturally talented and he’s such a hard worker and a great kid,” offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said. "The ownership he had after the season I think is something that really stands out to me. (We need) a concerted effort on our part to make sure we’re getting him enough touches in every game. If we can’t get him the ball down the field, we got to find a way to get the ball in his hands early.

“He’s shown that he’s really, really electric. If there’s issues with contested catches and things like that, then you got to be more creative and just find ways to get him the football in his hands.”

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

FILE - Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) can't make the catch on fourth down as Oklahoma defensive back Peyton Bowen defends in the closing minutes of the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt,File)

FILE - Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt,File)