Japan 12-1 New Zealand: World No. 1 too strong for hosts

World No. 1 Japan put on a masterclass as they defeated hosts New Zealand 12-1 to begin their U-18 Softball Men’s World Cup quest. It was a near-perfect start for the two-time champions as they beat New Zealand in style.

Japan immediately surged to a 5-0 lead in the first inning with Hitto Nagayoshi starting things off with a RBI double, before the winners of the Jr. Men's Softball World Championship in 2016 and 1981 opened up a 7-run lead in the 2nd courtesy of back-to-back scores from Masaru Nishimori and Masaya Ohashi.

New Zealand couldn't get on base against the impressive pitching of Takuro INAGAKI while Japan went on another 5-point running spree in the third with Kai Yamamota reaching home and yet another Nagayoshi triple, this time to center field.

Te Kirika Cooper-Nicola tried to spark a run in the bottom of the 4th off a Harrison Wildbore hit to finally get New Zealand on the board, but Japan were too dominant.

Inagaki pitched 4 innings for 2 hits and 1 run with 6 strikeouts.