Israel defeated Spain 4-2 on Friday to advance to Sunday's final. Photo: screenshot.

Team Israel moved one step closer to securing a birth in the 2013 World Baseball Classic with a 4-2 win over Spain on Friday, as 1st baseman Nate Frieman hit 2 home runs to help the Israeli squad move into Sunday’s final game of the qualifying round.

Frieman, a native of Wellesley, MA, went deep in the 6th inning with a man on base and again in the 9th inning.  The production would prove to be all Team Israel needed as starting pitcher Justin Schumer gave up just one run in 5 and 2/3 innings.  The run came on a fielding error so Schumer was not charged with the score.

Israel’s win comes two days after their opening game victory over South Africa, which ended in a 7-0 rout.