Japan, Korea start with wins the super round of the U-18 Baseball World Cup

Japan and Korea get started with wins against Australia and Cuba in the super round of the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2017. Both Australia and Cuba are now 0-3 and very likely out of the medal round.

Japan need 2 extra innings to overcome (4-3) Australia. Third baseman Yasuda gets the winning hit and lefty phenom Fumimaru Taura strikes out 2 in a bases loaded situation to pick up the win.

Japan waste not time to get on the scoreboard. Rightfielder Fujiwara leads off with a single to shortstop. With one out, third baseman Yasuda sends him to third with a base hit to right. Australia starter Cooper-Vassalakis strikes out first baseman Kiyomiya, but left fielder Sakurai picks up a 2 out RBI single to score Fujiwara. A throwing error by shortstop Williams helps
Japan score another run.

Australia ties it in the top of the fourth. With 2 outs, catcher Edwards singles off Japan starter Isomura to keep the at bat alive. Right fielder Amos follows with a line drive to left that is worth a double and takes Edwards to third. A base hit by center fielder Bedgood scores Edwards and takes Amos to third. Second baseman Barnett doubles to center and takes Amos home to tie the game. Bedgood is the third out at home plate on a perfect throw by second baseman Nishimaki when he tries to score the go ahead run.
Japan strikes right back. With 2 outs and Fujiwara at first in the bottom half of the frame, shortstop Kozon singles to put the runners at the corners. Yasuda doubles to put Japan ahead again. With runners at second and third, Cooper-Vassalakis walks Kiyomiya and gets out of trouble as Sakurai grounds out to first.

Reliever Jacob Green takes proper care of mound duties and bulds a fair chance for Australia to ties it in the top of the sixth. With one out, Edwards and Amos hit back to back singles. An error by Isomura loads the bases. The pitcher gets the second out as Barnett flies out to left field. The ball goes far enough for Edwards to score, but Bedgood takes off too soon and is the third out on appeal.

Third baseman Yasuda wins it for Japan in the bottom of the eleventh. With runners at first at second as the tie break rule is on, Fujiwara bunts for the single to load the bases. Japan can’t score as Kozon flies out to right, then Yasuda works a 2 ball 1 strike count and delivers a base hit to center field that is the game.
Tatsuya Shimizu pitches 4 scoreless innings for Japan and Fumimaru Taura comes up big, striking out 2 in a bases loaded situation during Australia eleventh at bat and earning the win.

Yosuda gets the winning hit against Australia (Christian J Stewart-WBSC)

Korea outscored (17-7) Cuba in a 7 inning game dominated by the 2 line ups.

A swinging bunt by Cuba third baseman Roidel Martinez creates trouble in the top of the third. Third baseman Kim Jeong Woo misses the target with the throw, the ball goes beyond first base and all the way to the fence and Martinez reaches third. With Korea infield in, Loidel Chapelli Junior flies out to center to score (scored a sacrifice) Martinez and put Cuba ahead. They are not done. Second baseman Prieto singles ad shows some excellent base running when he advances to third on a base hit to right by first baseman Triana. On the throw to third, Triana reaches second. Catcher Fadregas follows with a 2 RBI single to left, but then is the second out trying to reach second and the inning ends with no further damage for starting pitcher Seo Junwon.

Korea strikes right back. Cuba starter Oscar Hernandez walks Kim Jeongwoo and hits center fielder Jang Junhwan. Lead off shortstop Bae Jinhwan singles on a drag bunt to load the bases but Cuba get the first out on a force throw home by Chapelli on second baseman Choi Junwoo chopper. Catcher Cho Daehyun takes a look at a strike and then hits a bullet over the first base bag and all the way to the right field fence. Jang and Bae score, Choi Junwoo reaches third. Designated hitter Kang Baekho singles to score 2 more runs. Hernandez day is over as left fielder Ye Jinwon singles to right to advance Kang to third. Chi Montoia heads to the mound and right fielder Choi Hyun Jun turns his first pitch into a bloop single to left that scores Kang. Chi gets the ground ball he was looking for from first baseman Han Dong Huy, but Cuba third baseman Andrial throws it well above Prieto head for an error that scores Ye and takes Choi Hyun to third. Kim Jeongwoo steps into the batting box for the second time in the inning, but this time he strikes out. Jang Junhwan (base hit) on the contrary is on again as he singles to center and scores Choi Hyun. Bae Jihwan  follows with a 2 RBI double in the gap to left center to make it 9-3 and send Chi to the showers. Cuba calls Ubert Mejas from the bullpen and he would finally end the inning if Prieto didn’t mess with Choi Junwoo grounder. Despite the second error of the frame, Korea wouldn’t see their batte number 14 step to plate. Bae is trapped between third and home as he takes off too early for the double steal and is tagged for the third out.

Cuba don’t give up. A double by Roidel Martinez is worth their fourth run (scored by shortstop Miguel Gonzalez) in the top of the fourth.
Unfortunately for Cuba, pitching and defense do not support their aggressive offense. Korea keeps getting on base and keep scoring. A walk, a base hit by Ye Jinwhon and dubious defense by Prieto are worth 2 more runs for Korea in the bottom half of the frame.
Cuba prove they are still believing with a 3 run seventh at bat against reliever Yang Changseop. With one out, Martinez and Chapelli hit back to back singles and Prieto drops a bunt that surprises Korea defense. Triana clears the bases with a double in the gap to right center.

Korea call Kim Min from the bull pen to start the eighth.to avoid more danger and use 6 hits and a couple of walks to score 6 in the bottom half of the frame and end it on the mercy rule.

Cho Dae Hyun scores for Korea (James Mirabelli-WBSC)