Japan clinches first place in Group B, China advances to Super Round, Czech Republic claims first win

Mio Sakamoto used 44 pitches to throw a four-inning perfect game against Italy in the first game of the day at Field 3 of Bill Barber Memorial Ball Park. Japan showcased a powerful offensive, with hitting, speed and aggressive base running to beat the European champions 10-0 and claim the first place in Group B.

Japan scored once in the first inning on an RBI single by catcher Haruka Sumitami, who homered one inning later in a 6-run second frame for Japan.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Asian champion finished the game with three runs, including a pair of RBI singles by Mahiro Takahashi and Ikue Funasaka.

Japan finished the Opening Round with a 3-0 record, on top of Group B, and advanced to Super Round with winning record.

China clinched the second place of the Group C with a 3-1 win over Brazil and advanced to the Super Round of the WBSC U-19 Women’s Softball World Cup. Yinan Chai claimed the victory in five innings of work, with 1 hit, 1 run and 7 strikeouts.

With one out in the first inning, Jiayi Xue placed a perfect bunt in front of home plate to reach safe, then advanced on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a line-drive single by Yuanyuan Gui which was just about to be gloved by center fielder Vitoria Imamura.

China added one more in the bottom of the third inning, taking advantage of an error by Amanda Matsuzaka in a short fly ball to right field.

In the fifth inning, Imamura hit a 1-out single, stole second base and one out later Tiffany Suzawa hit an RBI single to the left side of the field to make it a one-run ball game.

However, in the bottom of the sixth inning China added a security run with a sacrifice fly to left field by Murong Lyu.

China secured second place in Group C and advanced to the Super Round. Brazil will play for ninth place.

Czech Republic earned its first win of the tournament beating Botswana by a score of 11-0 in four innings. The European team used a 9-run first inning to secure the game with a big early lead.

Anna Zoulova earned the win in 4 innings of work, with 3 hits and 4 strikeouts.