Seoul (Korea). The host of the XXV IBAF 18U Baseball World Championship had a perfect start into the tournament. Korea beat Venezuela 2-1 thanks to a pair of third-inning runs and a solid pitching performance, as four pitchers combined to throw a four-hitter. They also out-hit their opponents 12-4, but a couple of base running mistakes on both sides denied more scores.
After missing out to cross the plate in the first two frames thanks to a good defense of Venezuela, Korea reached the scoreboard in the third. In Tae Kim led off with a bunt single, moved to second on a groundout and came around to score on a single by Day Young Yoon. After loading the bases two batters later Yoon stole home during a pickoff try at second base to give Korea a 2-0 lead.
Venezuela needed until the fifth inning to bring a runner home. Freddy Zorrilla singled with one out, used a wild pitch and a hit to advance to third before finally crossing the plate on a long fly ball of William Cuicas. They didn’t have many scoring opportunities afterwards and went down in order in two of the remaining four innings, including the ninth.
Mainly thanks to Hyung Bae Yoon who issued just one walk in the last 3 2/3 innings, pitching brilliantly in relief. He struck out five to earn the win. Starter Jae Min Shim had allowed just one hit and a base on balls in 3 1/3 frames, but still got replaced in the fourth. Francisco Duran gave up 11 hits and four bb in 5 2/3 innings, managing to keep the damage to two runs. The Venezuelan starter didn’t receive much support from his offense and hat to settle for the loss.
