04/09/2023 1 Minute Read

Japan outscore Venezuela, head to Super Round

The U-18 Samurai broke the tie with a five-run fourth at-bat and opened the score with four more runs in the fourth. They earned the right for a Super Round spot but need one more win to secure first place.

World No. 1 Japan outscored Venezuela, 10-0, to record their first consecutive win in the XXXI WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup. The game was tied with no score after three, but Japan got to reliever Juan Agudelo, using the small ball masterfully and showing some timely power to break the score open. Starter Aoi Higashionna allowed Venezuela no scoring chance.

Starting pitchers Oscar Melgarejo and Aoi Higaionna brought a 0-0 tie in the fourth.

Japan broke the tie in the top half of the frame against reliever Juan Agudelo. The right-hander took the mound with a runner at first and no one out. Japan advanced the runner on a bunt, and left fielder Koga Hashimoto followed with an infield single. Ryusei Terachi executed a masterful safety squeeze bunt to break the tie. Shortstop Syuya Yamada made it 2-0 with an RBI single, and another run scored on catcher Ren Ogata's single and an error. Ogata reached third on the play and scored on a wild pitch.

Japan broke the score open in the top of the sixth. Yamada reached on an error, Ogata brought him to second with a base hit, and third baseman Yuzuki Nakayama scored both with a double down the left field line.

Another run scored on a wild pitch. Japan loaded the bases, and reliever Danny Dania hit a batter to allow the ninth run. Nakayama tripled the tenth run home in the top of the seventh.

Higashionna impressed with four innings of one-hit ball with no walks while striking out four. Riku Takeda and Kaito Yana cruised perfectly throughout the final nine outs.

Japan (4-0) will face No. 7 Netherlands (3-1) and need a win to secure first place and a 2-0 start in the Super Round. Venezuela (1-3) will finish against No. 2 USA and play in the Placement Round.