High quality pitching was the key for Japan to clinch their second WBSC U-23 Baseball World Championship. The Most Valuable Player of the tournament Ryusei Gonda (pictured) led the tournament with four saves in six appearances.

The Japanese reliever appeared in seven games, including the final, and earned five saves. Seven of the 12 participants have a player in the All-World Tea. WBSC Secretary General Beng Choo Low: "Thank you all for helping to make this an amazing and memorable world-class event. The Chinese Taipei Baseball Association and the Local Organising Committee have been dedicated and committed partners."

Japan defeated Korea 3-0 in the IV U-23 Baseball World Cup final. Masashi Maruyama's homer represented the first runs allowed by Korea's left-handed pitcher Saangyung Lee. Japan won the inaugural edition and finished second in 2018.

The second baseman batted in all the runs. Chen Hsun Lee allowed a run on one hit in the first, then limited Mexico to a couple of hits. Hsin Yen Chuang pitched two perfect innings to close the game.

Japan relied on starter Raiku Katayama, who allowed Mexico only one walk over five innings. They took the lead in the bottom of the second and never looked back. Korea tied the game against Colombia in the bottom of the seventh and won it in the eighth as Seunghwan Song slid head-first to beat the throw to first, which would have completed an inning-ending double play. Australia beat Chinese Taipei in the final game of the Super Round. The hosts will play Mexico for the bronze medal

The right-hander allowed only one walk over five innings. Mexico scored in the sixth and seventh inning against reliever Ryutaro Sawayanagi and stranded at third and second the potential tying runs in the seventh.

With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the eighth, the left fielder hit a grounder to third. After getting the force out on the bag, Branlyn Jaraba threw to first base for the double play. Song dove to beat his throw, allowing Hanbyul Kim to score the winning run.

Australia took advantage of four walks allowed by Chinese Taipei starter Chen Wei Lin and held on to the lead, delivering a solid performance in pitching and defence.

The Netherlands ended the Placement Round by defeating Germany, 3-0. They will finish in eighth place, with the same record as Venezuela.

Kenedy Corona went deep in the first and scored two. Puerto Rico fired up in the last inning, but their comeback came just short as Venezuela took the game 4-2.