Kim Min Hyeok, Kim Chan Hyung homer and Korea outslugs Chinese Taipei

Korea got the first win in the super round of the U-23 Baseball World Cup outslugging Chinese Taipei, 5-2. Home runs, by Kim Min Hyeok and Kim Chan Hyung, provided four runs to Korea and a solo shot by Chang Wen Hsien made it for half of those scored by Chinese Taipei.

Korea took the lead in the bottom of the first against starter Chiang Kuo Hao and never needed to look back. Ye Jin Won led off with a single and Korea bunted him to second. Han Dong Hui singled to make it 1-0 and first baseman Kim Min Hyeok, a Minor Leaguer in the organization of the Doosan Bears, homered to left to extend the lead.

Chinese Taipei got to Korea’s starter Jeon Sang Hyun, another KBO Minor League (Kia Tigers), in the top of the second. With runners at first and second and two outs, Hong Wei Chan singled to right. Chang Wen Hsien tried to score form second, but the throw by right fielder Ye Jin Won got in time to catcher Park Yu Yeon for the tag out.

Korea broke the score open in the bottom of the third. Han Dong Hui reached on a base hit and Chinese Taipei brought in Sheng Hung Su. The reliever got started with a wild pitch and then Kim Chan Hyung took him deep to left for another two-run homer.

The five-run lead made Jeon Sang Hyun comfortable. He left after five and allowing only one run on a solo shot by Chang Wen Hsien, one of the four hits Korea’s starter gave up.

Kim Ho Jun took over from Yao Kuan Wei in the sixth and also allowed one run on four hits, two of which in the top of the eighth: a double by Yao Kuan Wei and an RBI single by Chang Wen Hsien.

Chinese Taipei third baseman provided a big share of his National Team’s offense: three hits out of eight and both runs batted in.

Korea ended the game on a double play combined between second baseman Kim Chan Hyung and shortstop Hwang Kyeong Tae.

Sharing a 1-3 record, both Chinese Taipei and Korea have still a chance to compete for third place but are most likely out of contention for the World Title game.