TAICHUNG CITY STADIUM. Once again defending 18U Baseball World Cup title holder USA was in the middle of a pitcher’s duel. However this time they prevailed in the end. After losing 0-1 on Monday to Australia, the United States rebounded with a 2-1 win over Korea one day later. Two early runs and a strong pitching performance helped Rob Cooper’s team to capture the victory.

Being shut out by the team from Down Under, the American offense got things going in the first. Trace Loehr walked to lead off the bottom half of the frame. He moved to third on a wild pitch following the fourth ball delivered to Michael Rivera at the plate. One batter later Loehr crossed the plate on Adam Haseley’s sac fly to right field.

In the third the US squad got a second run to make it 2-0 Once again Loehr scored after reaching with a walk. This time Keaton McKinney drove him home with a single to right field.

Afterwards however Korea was able to keep the United States off the board. Not only that, but they also cut the deficit to 1-2 when Jin Seok Lee scored on a double by Joong Yeol An in the top of the fifth. They were able to bring more runners into scoring position in the following frames, but couldn’t score.

Mainly because USA’s pitching impressed through most parts of the game. Brady Aiken struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings, to pick up the win. He issued only one run on five hits and a walk. Joseph Demers and Luis Ortiz relieved him, combining for 3 1/3 innings of one-hit, one-walk pitching. Su Min Lee got charged with loss, surrendering no hits, but two runs (1 ER) and four walks. Ju Seong Han closed it out.

Both teams are now 2-1 in Group B at the XXVI 18U Baseball World Cup and will back on the field in the evening. The USA hopes to hand Cuba its first loss of the tournament in the evening game at Intercontinental Stadium. Korea squares off with Australia at Taichung City Stadium.