Japan and South Africa score big against Czech Republic, Fiji

Japan needed only four at bats to outscore the Czech Republic, 21-0, in game 1 of group A.

Four different Japanese pitchers worked one inning: Kawagoe, Sakamoto, Aoki and Shigematsu. They combined seven strikeouts and allowed only one hit in the fourth.

The Czechs starter Kolev could get only one out in a seven-run first inning plagued by two defensive errors.

Japan combined for 16 hits, with lead-off hitting center fielder Akazawa collecting three.

Japan celebrates the win

South Africa outscored Fiji 28-2, despite getting only two hits. Six defensive errors by the first time National Team helped South Africa extend the lead early in the game.

Center fielder Joshua Botha and third baseman Byron Atkinson both had two-hit games and scored three runs for South Africa.
Fiji used a record eight pitchers to complete four innings.

Jayden Clarke pitched two innings and struck out five to record the win