14/10/2022 1 Minute Read

Sejin Cho's key hit sparks Korean 4-0 rally over the Netherlands

Korea used a great pitching and running game to beat the Netherlands. The starters were almost perfect for three innings until Korea's infield hit in the fourth sparked a run, and good defence and aggressive base running, which opened the score in the seventh.

World No. 3 Korea defeated the Netherlands, ranked eighth in the world, at the end of an excellent pitching duel, 4-0. But it wasn't until the fourth inning when right fielder Sejin Cho made the the first hit of the game - an infield single - to spark Korea into action, where they made the most out of the opportunity with brilliant, aggressive base running and excellent game execution.

The first three innings saw little action in the duel between quality left-handers. Korea's starter Saangyung Lee was perfect, while Dylan Farley of the Netherlands allowed just one walk.

Cho's first hit of the night - a chopper to shortstop - beat Shervyen Newtown's throw to first. Farley walked the next batter and Korea advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt. Cho scored despite a brilliant diving stop by second baseman Tyrik Kemp on a hard grounder by DH Janghan Oh.

First baseman Delano Selassa got the first Dutch hit with one out in the bottom half of the frame. Darryl Collins followed with another base hit, but Lee got out of the inning thanks to a fine play at shortstop by Hanbyul Kim.

Korea added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the second against reliever Jiorgeny Casimiri. With runners at first and second, Korea advanced on a double steal and scored on back-to-back groundouts.

They made it 4-0 on a wild pitch by Klevert Martina, the fourth Dutch pitcher.

Juhyung Lee pitched in the seventh inning for Korea.