Japan opens with 4-0 shutout over Panama in U-15 Baseball World Cup

In a game that was delayed 80 minutes due to rain after four complete innings, Japan earned their first win of the U-15 Baseball World Cup, a 4-0 shutout against Panama. Japan scored the game's four runs in the third inning. 

The Asian squad loaded the bases on two walks and one hit by pitch, and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Shintaro Sakamoto. With two outs and bases loaded, Kanta Kanemoto hit a line drive to left field that couldn’t be gloved by Iverson Allen, allowing all three runners to score.

Japan starter Hayato Watanabe was in control of the game but rain stopped him after four complete innings. He pitched four scoreless frames giving up two hits, while striking out two.

The game restarted after an 80-minute delay due to rain. But the Japanese pitching staff continued its dominance. Ryuga Sato pitched two innings and Kosuke Hotta closed the game in the seventh.

The loss was charged to Angel Soriano, who had a solid performance but didn’t receive support on offense. He exited the game after 3.1 innings, with three hits and four runs allowed, only one of them earned.

Japan is now 1-0 in Group B, while Panama has an even 1-1 record.