31/07/2023 1 Minute Read

Korea outscore Czechia to stay atop Group B

Back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the first inning set the course of the game. Korea will play for Group B first place with the United States on Day 5.

World No. 5 Korea stayed undefeated at the top of Group B thanks to a 17-5 win against No. 16 Czechia at the VII WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup. Korea took a 6-0 lead in the first, but the Czechs stayed in the game despite being down 15-0 and prolonged it to the fifth with a four-run fourth.

Czech starter Adam Kupsky hit the first batter and walked the second. Korea thrived on that. Pitcher Beomjun Kim doubled them both home. He then scored on a groundout and a wild pitch. Kupsky allowed another walk. Catcher Hajoon Lee and centre fielder Jinhwi Kim followed with back-to-back home runs to make it 6-0.

Hanjun Kim moved from third base to the mound in the top of the second. In the bottom half of the frame his three-run homer off reliever Lukas Cermak capped a four-run Korean at-bat.

Czechia took advantage of a pair of defensive errors to get on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth. The four runs sent the game to the fifth inning.

Korea will face the United States for Group B's first place on Day 5. Czechia will play against Panama to stay in the Super Round race.