08/09/2017 2 Minute Read

USA on top of U-18 Baseball World Cup super round after win against Korea

THUNDER BAY, Ontario (Canada)-USA is the only undefeated team in the U-18 Baseball World Cup. They beat Korea and are on top of the super round

USA beat Korea (2-0) as Ethan Hankins and Gwak Been post and old fashioned pitching duel for 6 innings. Hankins then makes room for lefty Ryan Weathers. Gwak goes 8.1 innings and ends up suffering the loss.

Hankins strikes out 14 and gives up only 2 hits: a single by left fielder Ye Jinwon in the second (he advances to second, with one out, on a wild pitch, then Hankins gets out of the inning with back to back strike outs) and a lead off single to clean up hitter Kang Baekho in the bottom of the fourth (he won’t go beyond first base, as Hankins strikes out the side).
Hankins also walks second baseman Choi Junwoo in the first (gets out of the inning on back to back strike outs) and hits center fielder Jang Junhwan in the third (he gets to second with 2 outs, but once again USA starter is out of the inning on strikes).
Gwak is not so spectacular (3 hits, 4 walks, while he strikes out 8) but as effective to say the least. The USA get in scoring position in the third (Gorman walks, steals second and advances on a ground out) and the fourth (runners at third and second, thanks to a hit by left fielder Thomas, a walk and an error), but Gwak gets out of both innings on strikes. The most dangerous situation happens in the fifth (back to back singles by shortstop Turang and center fielder Siani with no outs), but Gwak retires second baseman Young as he fouls out on a bunt attempt and has right fielder Kelenic line into an inning ending double play to shortstop

Ethan Hankins pitched 6 spectacular innings against Korea (Christian J Stewart-WBSC)

In the bottom of the seventh, with one out, Korea right fielder Choi Hyunjun singles to become the first batter to reach against Weathers. The lefthander walks third baseman Kim Jeongwoo and putst Choi Hyunjun in scoring position. Weathers needs 5 more pitches to strike out Jang Junhwan and get out of the inning as left fielder Thomas flies out to third.

USA take the lead in the eighth. Siani reaches on an error by Gwak Been and runs all the way to third on a base hit by Kelenic. Gwak then hits catcher Mc Nair Seigler to load the bases and after that allows the first run of the game on a wild pitch. With Korea infield in, first baseman Casas sends a blooper just beyond the red dirt. Korea shortstop turns it into a fly out with an excellent diving catch. Gwak is out of the inning as left fielder Thomas fouls out to third.
With one out in the bottom of the eighth, Choi Junwoo singles, but he can’t go any further as Weathers strikes out Gwak Been (in the line up after desginated hitter Kang Baek Ho took over catching duties) and gets Kang on a comebacker.

Gwak day is over with one out in the ninth when third baseman Gorman doubles on a 2 strike count. Left hander Ha Jun Young takes the mound but shortstop Turang gets to his pitch for an up the middle RBI single that makes it 2-0. Siani and Young follow with back to back singles to load the bases, but Ha gets out of the jam striking out both Kelenic and Mc Nair Seigler.

With 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth, first baseman Han Donghui keeps it alive as he singles up the the middle. Weathers walks Kim Jeongwoo and is done for the day. USA call hard throwing righthander John Ginn from the bullpen. He uses 4 pitches to strike out Jang Junhwan, the last one a slider.