Matsumoto’s four-RBI game sends Japan to World Championship Final

Yoshinari Matsumoto highlighted the performances on Friday with a four-RBI game, including a 2-of-3 hitting effort and two runs in Japan's 8-1 victory over Australia in five innings, guaranteeing their spot in the World Championship Final on Sunday, 23 April at 17.00 local time. The offensive outburst helped the World No. 3 squad secure their seventh consecutive win in the WBSC U-23 Men's Softball World Cup.

Australia gained the 1-0 lead in the top of the third, as WBSC U-18 Men's Softball World Cup 2020 silver medallist Jeremy Garland rocketed a home run, where the ball cleared the Nafaldo Cargnel Stadium and landed on the street behind the left field stands.

However, three triples sparked Japan’s four-run rally in the bottom of the third to take the 4-1 lead and never looked back after that. Tomoki Kikukawa, Matsumoto and Shoki Matsuo connected the three-baggers to produce four runs in the inning.

One inning later, Matsumoto found the bases loaded and lined his second hit of the game, a triple to clear the bases and put the game 7-1. He then scored the last run of the contest on a grounder to second base.

Taiga Onishi started for Japan and pitched four innings, giving up two hits and one run while striking out six. Yutaro Inoue pitched a perfect fifth inning to close the game. 

Japan remain undefeated in the tournament, with a 4-0 record in the Super Round to advance to the World Championship Final. On Saturday, they will play their last Super Round game against hosts Argentina. Australia have a 2-2 card and are still in contention for a spot in the final.