The United States defeated Chinese Taipei in the final to win the XXX WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup. It's their 10th U-18 World Title (one behind leaders Cuba with 11) and reversed the defeat to Chinese Taipei in the 2019 final. It's also USA's fifth U-18 Baseball World Cup in six editions and continues a tremendous year for USA Baseball having already claimed the U-12 and U-15 Baseball World Cup titles (not to mention USA Softball's world champion title from The World Games).
"The biggest moment in our tournament came last night," commented manager Dennis Hocking. "We returned to the hotel, and our captain Dylan Cupp called a team meeting. He texted me that I didn't need to worry; we had it."
"The WBSC is a different type of baseball," added Hocking "it's about what can I do for my country. I think this team came together as a family."
On a final note, Hocking said: "As a leader of men, it was very rewarding to sit on the bench and see these kids celebrate a World title."
USA’s Bryce Eldridge earns WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup MVP honours as six squads represented in All-World Team
Japan defeated Korea in the Bronze Medal Game, 6-2, to earn a sport in the podium. It marks the first time USA, Chinese Taipei and Japan have been on the U-18 Baseball World Cup podium together.
Final Day Results
USA-Chinese Taipei 5-1
Chinese Taipei took the lead in the bottom of the second. DH Yi Lei Sun doubled to deep centre field, third baseman Chieh Hsi Huang singled to make it 1-0.
Centre fielder Kendall George robbed Jia Xiang Sung of an extra-base hit to end the inning.
Gavin Grahovac batted in the tying run for the US in the top of the fourth.
In the bottom of the fourth, Kevin McGonigle prevented a run stopping a sharp grounder by Sun Yi Lei.
The US took the lead in the top of the fifth. Kendall George doubled, advanced on a sacrifice hit and scored on a wild pitch by reliever Nien Hsi Yang.
Blake Mitchell, who played against Japan as a catcher, gets back-to-back strikeouts with the tying run in scoring position to end Chinese Taipei's sixth.
Bryce Eldridge hit a three-run homer in the top of the fifth to extend the US lead to 5-1.
Bryce Eldridge pitched the seventh inning.
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Japan - Korea
Yuta Utsumi hit an RBI single for Japan in the top of the first inning.
Yoshinobu Kuroda scores on a bases-loaded walk. Then Shion Matsuo and Kai Watanabe hit two-RBI singles to make it 6-0.
Dongheon Kim launches a two-run bomb to left field to put Korea on the scoreboard.
USA-Japan 4-3
The United States defeated Japan thanks to a dramatic comeback in the bottom of the seventh and earned the right to play in the World Championship game in a re-match of the 2019 final.
Japan was leading 3-2 in the top of the third when the game was delayed under heavy thunderstorms on Saturday night. READ MORE.
USA- Japan 4-3 BOX SCORE
The US sent hard throwing right-hander Christian Rodriguez to the mound.
Rodriguez used 13 pitches, only three balls, to strike out the side and keep the US in the game.
Left-hander Yusefu Yoshimura took the mound for Japan in the bottom of the fourth.
The US tied it in the bottom of the seventh on a balk.
Dylan Cupp singled off Kaito Noda to walk it off and lead the US to the final.
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