Japan and USA will play for the gold medal of the baseball tournament in the 2017 Summer Universiade. Czech Republic and Korea will be the contenders for bronze. The medal round is scheduled for Tuesday 29 July.
United States defeated (8-4) Czech Republic in the first semi final. Czech Republic took an early lead on Brady Schanuel, who allowed 5 hits and 4 walks in 3 innings. Team USA got the lead in the seventh, when they got to starter Novak and reliever Sobotka, who gave up 3 runs without getting an out. Designated hitter Brett Mc Cleary and shortstop Kyle Crowl both collected 3 hits.
Japan shut out Korea 4-0 in the afternoon semi final. Katsuki Azuma pitched an 8 inning gem, allowing 5 hits and a walk while striking out 11. Sakamoto and Saito shared duties to get the last 3 outs. Both third baseman Watanabe and second baseman Nakagawa (also 1 RBI) collected 2 hits for Japan. Shortstop Kumagai had 2 RBIs
