Quarterfinals at II 12U Baseball World Cup set for Friday

Taipei City. The first round at the II 12U Baseball World Cup in Taipei City concluded on Thursday. Eight teams qualified for the final round, which will commence on Friday with the quarterfinals. Japan faces Panama, Venezuela squares off with Mexico, Chinese Taipei plays against Korea and the United States take on Brazil.

On the last day of first-round play on Thursday six games were scheduled. In the morning Brazil nearly got upset by the Philippines, needing extra innings to prevail and securing third place in Pool A. Also Japan needed a walk-off single to win against Mexico, keeping their record clean. Venezuela did the same with a victory over Panama. The United States closed out the preliminary phase with a blowout against Korea. Russia celebrated its second win over Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei its fifth against Italy.

At the 12U Baseball World Cup young athletes come together from all around the world to celebrate goodwill, fair play and cultural diversity. The tournament forms a part of a long-term plan to focus on youth and keep the sport relevant, modern and aligned with the values of the Olympic Games and international spirit.

Brazil 6 – Philippines 5

The Philippines nearly ended the first round with a big bang, pushing Brazil to the brink. But in the end the South Americans prevailed 6-5 thanks to a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Philippines had tied the game in the top of the fifth and got ahead by two runs in the top of the extra inning. However Brazil answered and celebrated their fourth win of the tournament.

Korea 1 – USA 18

Jakob Hines went a perfect 5-for-5 with a home run and six RBI at the plate to lead the United States to an 18-1 victory over Korea in their last game of the preliminary round. Anthony Volpe had four hits, four runs and four RBI. Garrett McMillan also went deep.

Venezuela 8 – Panama 4

Jose Zapata drove in six runs and hit a home run in Venezuela’s 8-4 victory over Panama, scoring all eight runs in the first three innings. They finish the first round with a clean 6-0 record, while Panama dropped to 3-3, but still makes the quarterfinals.

Japan 5 – Mexico 4

Daichi Aoki and Tomoharu Moriya hit back-to-back home runs for Japan in the first inning, but Mexico came back to erase the 0-4 deficit in the top of the sixth. In the end Japan won anyway, as Koyo Mizushima had a two-out walk-off RBI single in the bottom half of the frame. It was their sixth win in as many games with Mexico settling for a 3-3 first-round finish.

Russia 2 – Hong Kong 1

Russia earned its second win of the tournament, beating Hong Kong 2-1 in the afternoon at Youth Park. Vladislav Nikolaev scored the first run for Russia and drove in the second with a single in the bottom of the sixth, as his team celebrated a walk-off victory. He also pitched the last two innings to pick up the win on the mound. Hong Kong ended the tournament with a 1-5 record in sixth place in Group B.

Italy 0 – Chinese Taipei 11

Chinese Taipei finished off Italy 11-0 as the first round ended on Thursday evening at Tien-Mou Stadium in Taipei City. Leadoff hitter Chih-Chun Chen homered twice to lead the host to the win. Three pitchers combined to throw a one-hitter, allowing just a first-inning single by Gabriele Marras.

First Round Final Standings

Group A
1) Japan 6-0
2) Chinese Taipei 5-1
3) Brazil 4-2
4) Mexico 3-3
5) Italy 2-4
6) Czech Republic 1-5
7) Philippines 0-6

Group B
1) Venezuela 6-0
2) USA 5-1
3) Korea 4-2
4) Panama 3-3
5) Russia 2-4
6) Hong Kong 1-5
7) Pakistan 0-6

Schedule Quarterfinals

Friday, July 26, 2013

10:00 Venezuela – Mexico (Tien-Mou)
14:00 USA – Brazil (Youth Park)
14:00 Japan – Panama (Tien-Mou)
18:30 Chinese Taipei – Korea (Tien-Mou)
(local times)