REGENSBURG, Germany -- Hoosac Valley graduate Matt Koperniak Tuesday scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10th as Great Britain came from behind to beat Spain, 10-9, and advance from a qualifying tournament to play in March's World Baseball Classic.

 

Koperniak, a native of London, was the "ghost runner," starting the 10th inning on second base.

 

After a failed bunt attempt, Great Britain's Justin Wylie reached on a fielder's choice.

 

Koperniak was called out at third, but after a British challenge, the umpires ruled he was safe.

 

With runners at the corners and one out, Alex Crosby hit a sacrifice fly to left to drive in Koperniak and give Great Britain a 3-0 record in the five-team tournament and one of the qualifying tourney's two spots in the main WBC field.

 

Spain took a 4-0 lead in the top of the first and led all night.

 

But the Britons chipped away and finally tied it in the bottom of the ninth Jaden Rudd hit a solo home run.

 

Koperniak, a star this summer at Double A Springfield, Mo., in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, had one hit and one RBI in Great Britain's three games in Germany.

 

Spain will play the Czech Republic on Wednesday to earn a berth in the 20-team field at the World Baseball Classic.