Hikaru Matsuda led Japan’s offensive with 3 hits in today’s 8-4 victory over Argentina, for the Group A of the WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship. Four of the first five runs of his team were produced by the Japanese designated player.
It took only one out to Japan to score the first run of the game. Ryoyu Une drew a leadoff walk and moved to second with a sac bunt by Kotaro Yasumi. From there, the shortstop scored on an RBI single by Hikaru Matsuda to center field. The designated player found a changeup in the zone and hit a line drive to produce the first run of the game.
Argentina tied the game in its first attack. With runners on first and second and one out, clean up hitter Santiago Carril hit a solid single between third and shortstop to plate Teo Migliavacca from second base. However, Japanese starter Ryo Koyama retired the next two batters with a grounder and a fly ball to end the inning.
The Asian champions took the lead again in the top of the second inning with a long RBI double by Hiroto Ikeda to left field to plate Yusuke Morita.
Head Coach Julio Gamarci made a pitching change, sending Pablo Migliavacca in substitution of Roman Godoy, but the reliever struggled with his command and walked Une and Yasumi to load the bases. Then he faced Matsuda, who connected a 1-2 pitch over the center field to produce two more runs for his team, making it 4-1.
Argentina scored once in the bottom of the fourth. Mariano Montero singled to left field to start the inning, and Manuel Godoy hit a double to left center field to plate the second run for the South American team. Godoy advanced to third with a grounder to second and Federico Eder walked to put runners on the corners. But Koyama retired Gonzalo Ojeda and pinch hitter Juan Zara, with only two pitches, to end the threat.
In the fifth inning, both teams used the long ball to score a run. Matsuda came again to the batter’s box and launched a no-doubter to center field, collecting his third hit and fourth RBI of the game. In the bottom of the inning was Carril who belted a line-drive, opposite field home run.
In the bottom of sixth Argentina scored again, and missed a chance to tie the game, or even take the lead. Juan Zara found Manuel Godoy and Gonzalo Ojeda in first and second with two outs and hit an RBI single to right field to score the fourth run for his team. With two runners in scoring position, Teo Migliavacca hit a fly to left field to end the inning.
However, in the last inning Japan stroke again adding three security runs. The first three batters of the inning loaded the bases, on a walk an a pair of singles, and Yusuke Morite drew a walk to produce another run. Finally, Ikeda his a 2-RBI single through the middle for the final 8-4.
Koyama was the winner of the match, with 5 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. The loss was charged to Roman Godoy.
Venezuela uses 10-run inning to beat Singapore
Venezuela scored 10 times in the first inning to secure a four-inning win over Singapore at Hippos Arena, in Havlickuv Brod. Catcher Rafael Flores belted a 3-run shot while Herwims Querales and Jose Solorzano recorded 2 RBIs for the winner. Maiker Pimentel claimed the win, allowing one hit in 2.1 innings; Luis Colombo and Angel Perez completed the game for Venezuela.
