TAICHUNG CITY STADIUM. Tuesday was not a good day for Australia at the XXVI 18U Baseball World Cup. A couple hours after losing surprisingly to Italy in the morning, the team from Down Under lost a no-no bid and the game in the sixth inning against Korea. The Asian baseball powerhouse improved to 2-2 with the 4-0 victory.
Both teams were locked into an exciting pitcher’s duel early on. Lachlan Wells for Australia and Kyu Hyun An exchanged zeroes through the first five innings with Wells even working on a no-no. This however changed rather quickly. Following a leadoff walk and a sac bunt, Tae Jin Kim broke up the no-hitter and the scoreless tie with a double down the right field line, plating Byung Ok Bae. A double by Ha Seong Kim, a single by Byeong Wuk Lim and an error followed with Korea taking a 4-0 lead. It was enough, as Australia couldn’t answer.
Kyu Hyun An allowed just two hits and four walks in 7 1/3 innings. He struck out nine to pick up the win. Se Woong Park and Hee Woon Yu closed out the shutout. Wells ended up with one hit, two runs and two walks in 5 1/3 innings. Lachlan Madden and Brandon Stenhouse also pitched for Australia.
Both teams will be back on the field on Wednesday to close out the first round. Korea takes on Italy at Intercontinental Stadium in the afternoon game. Australia clashes with Cuba in the evening at Dou-Liou Stadium.
