01/09/2023 1 Minute Read

Japan outscore Spain in six innings

Consistent pitching, smooth defence, impressive speed and the timely long ball were key to U-18 Samurai's domination of Spain.

World No. 1 Japan shut out No. 21 Spain in six innings, 10-0. Japan showcased all the skills their manager Shiro Mabuchi had announced: consistent pitching and smooth defence, impressing for speed and using the long ball later in the game.

Japan made the most of the back-to-back walks Spanish starter Juan Salazar allowed to start the bottom of the first. The U-18 Samurai advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt, scored on a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Haruto Morita, added a run on a defensive error and made it 3-0 on a base hit by catcher Ren Ogata.

Elia Geronimo took the mound for Spain in the second. First baseman Ruosei Terachi tripled to make it 4-0 and scored the fifth run on a base hit by centre fielder Maruta Minato.

Geronimo left for Jordi Moreno without getting an out. Morita singled on Moreno's first pitch to extend the lead. Right fielder Shinnosuke Chibana made it 8-0 with an RBI infield single.

Second baseman Ren Ogata walked off the game in the bottom of the sixth with a two-RBI triple.

Samurai starter Aoi Higashionna allowed a walk in two innings while striking out four. Spain got their first hit against reliever Riku Takeda and a second one off submarine Kaito Yano.

Spain will face No. 2 USA at 14:30 on Friday, 2 September, while Japan will close the day against No. 11 Panama.