Japan outscore France to stay undefeated

World No. 1 Japan entertained their fans with a 20-1 win over France in five innings to record their second victory in the 2023 WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group B presented by CARNEXT.

Prior to the start of the game, singer Minami Kizuki performed a beautiful rendition of the Japanese national anthem. Former Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) star Kenshi Sugiya was also in attendance for the ceremonial pitch, bringing the spectators to their feet.

Miwa Tanaka led off with a single and Akari Hoshikawa followed with an RBI triple. It took eight pitches for Japan to score the first run against French starter Emilie Gomes.

Yuki Kawabata hit a first-pitch RBI triple to make it 2-0. The third run scored on a balk, Japan stole home for the fourth and added hits by Miu Shiraisi, Haruna Tadano and Miwa Tanaka (2-for-2 in the inning) to make it 6-0.

Japan sent 11 at bat in the first and eight in the second. Three of those had base hits, including a double by Tadano.

Ambre Bouard singled off starter Mizuki Bando in the bottom of the second to record the first French hit.

Lisa Papoin took the mound for France and allowed three more runs in the top of the third.

France got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third. Amina Taleb reached on an infield single. Lèna Sellam hit a one-out single and brought Taleb to third. She overran first and became the second out. Taleb scored as Angelique Andre singled to left field.

Frederique Nourin got only one out in the top of the fourth and allowed four runs on two hits and two walks. When Coralie Guillemin took France out of the inning, Japan's lead had grown to 19-1. Madonna Japan would add a run in the bottom of the fifth.

Arisa Hotta took the mound for Japan in the bottom of the fourth. She pitched one inning, then handed the ball to Mika Tai, who took care of the final three outs, striking out the side with just nine pitches, thus posting an immaculate inning.

Japan will close the third day against No. 5 Venezuela. France will play the afternoon game against No. 7 Cuba.