Seoul (Korea). As on the first two days of the competition at the XXV IBAF 18U Baseball World Championship in Seoul, Korea, Canada was responsible for the most thrilling game. But this time they were on the wrong end of the celebrations. Chinese Taipei concluded day three by erasing an early 0-5 deficit en route to a walk-off victory in the ninth. Four teams are now tied with 2-1 records in Group A, as Japan shut out Panama.
In Group B Korea remains the lone undefeated team in the tournament, defeating Australia on day three thanks to a solid defensive performance in their first game at Mokdong Stadium. Also Venezuela and Team USA stay on track to reach the final round winning prior their big matchup on Monday evening at Jamsil Stadium. Meanwhile Italy celebrated the first win in an all-European duel against the Czech Republic.
Group A
USA 11 – Colombia 1
Team USA rebounded from their 2-8 loss to Korea on Saturday with an 11-1 win over Colombia on Sunday morning at Mokdong Stadium. The American offense, which looked flat against the hosts, needed just seven innings, winning due to ten-run mercy rule. It is their second win in three games, as Colombia dropped to 1-2. Ryan Boldt walked in each of his four plate appearances, stole a US record five bases and crossed the plate four times.
Venezuela 8 – Netherlands 3
Venezuela scores all eight runs of an 8-3 victory over Netherlands between the third and the seventh for their second win in three games. The Dutch team, so far winless in the tournament, cut the deficit to 3-4 midway through the sixth, but the South Americans blew it open afterwards. Catcher Wilson Garcia, went 3-for-5 with a triple, a double and two runs scored for Venezuela.
Australia 1 – Korea 7
Korea broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth inning en route to a 7-1 victory over Australia on Sunday afternoon. The host of the XXV IBAF 18U Baseball World Championship played at Mokdong Stadium improved to 3-0. The team from Down Under only threatened in the beginning and couldn’t come back at the end. They are now 1-2 and in danger to miss a ticket for the final round. Jun Suk Song and Jun Young Yoo collected three hits apiece for Korea.
Group B
Italy 12 – Czech Republic 1
Italy had no trouble to win the all-European duel on Sunday morning at Jamsil Stadium, defeating the Czech Republic 12-1 in seven innings. Seven runs in the second frame and three in the sixth sealed the deal for the Squadra Azzurri. Mattia Mercuri and Chicago Cubs minor leaguer Alberto Mineo combined for six hits, three runs and seven RBI.
Chinese Taipei 6 – Canada 5
After celebrating twice on the first two days, Canada was on the wrong end of a walk-off win on Sunday evening at Mokdong Stadium. Chinese Taipei rallied from a 0-5 deficit to win 6-5 on a walk-off RBI single by Chih Chieh Su with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Consecutive singles had tied the game in the eighth. Both teams are 2-1 in Group B, still with chances to reach the final round.
Japan 8 – Panama 0
Japan has picked up its second win in three games. They dismantled Panama 8-0 thanks to a strong offensive performance and another great gem by their pitching staff. Ryuhei Johma and Takahito Otsuka combined to allow just three hits in the shutout. Kohei Sasagawa collected three hits, a triple and three runs. Panama lost for the first time after a pair of wins over Italy and Czech Republic on the first two days of the tournament.
Schedule
Monday, September 2, 2012
10:00 Netherlands – Australia (Mokdong)
10:00 Canada – Czech Republic (Jamsil)
14:00 Chinese Taipei – Panama (Jamsil)
14:00 Japan – Italy (Mokdong)
18:00 Korea – Colombia (Mokdong)
18:00 USA – Venezuela (Jamsil)