Dongkyu Lee’s heroics help Korea win thriller against Dominican Republic

Dongkyu Lee struck out six pitching in relief and put the ball in play with one out in the bottom of the sixth, driving in Uijeong Lee for the winning run. Korea defeated the Dominican Republic, 9-8, to stay undefeated in the VII WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup. The game was delayed one hour and 45 minutes due to a late afternoon shower.

Both sides were eager to stay undefeated, and the Dominican Republic took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. They later extended the lead to 6-0 with Anthony Reyes’ run and Reiyer Gonzalez’s three-run homer.

Korea responded with Minyeong Yoon scoring on a wild pitch, ending the second 6-1. Korea added two more runs in the third while shutting down the Dominican Republic's bats, thanks to reliever Dongkyu Lee.

In the bottom of the fourth, Junhyeong Park got hit by a pitch, and with Juha Kim’s single and Taewoong Yoon’s double, Korea scored two more runs. They tied the game on a wild pitch.

Dominican Republic’s Gustavo Talmare reached the first on a walk, advanced to third through Keimel Paula’s single, and scored the go-ahead run on a defensive error, swinging the momentum to the Dominican Republic. They added one more run on a balk, ending the inning with an 8-6 lead.

Korea tied the game once again at eight on two balks in the bottom of the fifth. Reliever Minyeong Yoon escaped a bases-loaded jam in the top of the sixth and Korea walked it off thanks to Dongkyu Leein the bottom half of the frame.

World No. 5 Korea will face No. 16 Czechia on Monday at 14.30 local time, while No. 10 Dominic Republic will play No. 2 USA at 18.30.