Korea starts strong in Monteria, beats Czech Republic in seven innings

With a solid offensive performance, Korea claimed its first win of the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup. The Asian team beat Czech Republic, 14-3, in seven innings and had a good start in the event.

Korea singled three times in the first episode of the game to take the lead on the scoreboard, 1-0. Jinwon Ye and Kyeongtae Hwang opened the attack with consecutive singles, putting runners in first and second. Czech pitcher Ondrej Satoria retired the next two batters with a fly to center field and a strikeout, however Minhyeok Kim landed a short single into center field to produce the first run of the game.

In the top of the second inning Czech Republic connected its first hit of the game, a double to the center field off the bat of Martin Muzik, who then advanced to third with a wild pitch. However, the European team could not capitalize on the opportunity. Czech manager Vladimir Chlup sent squeeze play signal but Martin Cervinka failed to touch the ball, causing the runner out between third and home.

However, an inning later the Korean starter Yoonchul Park got into trouble with two consecutive walks, and the coach Yeon Soo Lee sent Byungryul Shin to the hill. The right struck out Muzik, but then Martin Cervinka hit a 2-RBI doubleto left field that gave the advantage to his team. Shortly after Cervinka himself crossed the plate with a single off the bat of Simon Blazek to first base, to put the Czech Republic ahead 3-1.

Korea reacted quickly and showed its best offensive facet. In the closing of the fourth episode Hyoseung Ryu homered with one on board to tie the score.

An innning later the Asian team again took the lead with a 3-RBI triple from Jihoon Choi to left field, a sacrifice fly by Ryu, putting the game 8-3.

In the sixth inning the Koreans scored two more runs, including a moon shot by Donghui Han to left field, to put the match 10-3.

And finally in the bottom of the seventh Korea ended the match, with an RBI single by Sungiu Moon and a walkoff, three-run homer by Minhyeok Kim.

The winner eas Shungyoung Choi, in 2 innings of relay, with no hits, 1 walk and 3 strikeouts. The loser was Ondrej Furko, who received 1 hit and 2 runs in 1 inning.

Tomorrow Korea will face the Dominican Republic, at 15 hs (local time). In the other hand, the Czech Republic will jump to the field at 10 o’clock to face Australia.