U-18 Baseball World Cup Day 4: USA beat Canada in a thriller, Chinese Taipei's Shao En Lin dominates Mexico as Super Round race heats up

U-18 Baseball World Cup Day 4: USA beat Canada in a thriller, Chinese Taipei's Shao En Lin dominates Mexico as Super Round race heats up
13/09/2022
The US came from behind to win a dramatic game and stay on top of Group A while Japan and Chinese Taipei stay undefeated. The Super Round race heats in Group A with Korea, the Netherlands and Brazil in the mix. In Group B, Mexico and Panama are fighting behind Japan and Chinese Taipei who face each other at LECOM Park on Tuesday.

Nine-time champions the United States, in Group A, and world No. 1 Japan and title holders Chinese Taipei remain undefeated in Group B after Day 4 action at the XXX WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup.

Japan has already clinched a Super Round spot, and the US, who pulled off a remarkable come-from-behind win against Canada on Monday, would need only to maintain the 10-0 lead against South Africa (game due to be completed on Wednesday) to follow.

Korea and Panama enjoyed five-inning wins against South Africa and Italy while the Netherlands came from behind to earn their second win and are now well positioned for a Super Round spot in Group A. Mexico suffered their second loss of the tournament, going down to Chinese Taipei.

Panama-Mexico and Netherlands-Korea will lead off Day 5 of the XXX WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in games that may decide the Super Round race. While Japan will take on Chinese Taipei later in the day in a game between the two unbeaten Group B sides.

Day 4 Results

USA-Canada 7-6

The United States came from behind thanks to a couple of extra-base hits, a home run by Maxwell Clark and a triple by Kevin McGonigle. Blake Mitchell went from catcher to pitcher in the top of the seventh to strike out the side and seal the win against Canada.

Special Olympics athlete Matthew Burg threw the ceremonial first pitch.

A running catch by shortstop Tyrus Hall and a smooth double play started by first baseman Sam White get Canada out of the first without allowing any run.

The US scored the go ahead run in the bottom of the second.

Canada tied the game on a bases-loaded walk.

With back-to-back singles by Hugh Pinkney and Sam Shaw, Canada took a 4-1 lead and sent US starter Matthew Dallas to the showers in the third.

The US cut the lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the third, but stranded three runners. They made it 4-3 in the fourth but left three more on base.

Canada added one run in the top of the fifth. Colt Emerson kept the US in the game with a great play at third.

Maxwell Clark homered in the bottom of the fifth: brand new game.

Kevin McGonigle tripled, the US took the lead back.

A ball went by Canada's catcher Pinkney, the US extended the lead to 7-5.

A bases-loaded walk by USA's fourth pitcher Blake Mitchell cut the lead to 7-6 in the top of the seventh.

Mitchell struck out the side to earn the save.

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Japan-Australia 10-0

Japan jumped on the scoreboard in the top of the first and scored seven more in the second. It was more than enough to collect the fourth consecutive win.

Japan took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

Japan broke the score open in the bottom of the second.

Japan extended the lead to 10-0 and didn't need to look back.

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Panama-Italy 10-0

Panama had 12 hits and their pitchers limited Italy to one en route to an easy win in five innings.

Panama took the lead making the most of a defensive error.

They extended the lead to 5-0 before the second inning ended.

Panama didn't need to look back and won in five innings.

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Korea-South Africa 14-1

Korea scored in every at bat through the fourth and made it an easy five-inning win.

Korea earned a quick 3-0 lead in the first.

Beomseok Kim drove one off the wall to make it 6-0.

Second baseman Doran Bibis prevented more damage.

Pitcher Hyunbhin Moon goes deep and makes it 14-0.

South Africa scored their only run in the bottom of the fifth.

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Chinese Taipei- Mexico 4-0

Chinese Taipei played solid defence behind starter Shao En Lin, who allowed only one single to Manuel Estrada. They made the most of five hits. Mexico's defence committed four errors..

Chinese Taipei scored on the first hit of the game.

Chinese Taipei made the most of a defensive error and extended the lead to 2-0.

Carlos Gutierrez prevented more damage.

Chinese Taipei added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth, on Mexico's second error, and in the bottom of the sixth.

A fine defensive play ended the game.

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Netherlands- Brazil 5-2

The Netherlands came from behind, tied the game on a home run by Darnel Collins and scored the go ahead runs on a sacrifice fly by Gedionne Marlin and a balk.

Brazil was off a brilliant start and got an early 2-0 lead.

Brazil is also playing very good defence.

Darnell Collins needed one swing to tie it for the Netherlands.

The Netherlands took the lead in the bottom of the third on a sacrifice fly to left by Gedionne Marlin.

A bases-loaded balk made it 4-2 for the Netherlands.

Brazil stranded a bases loaded situation in the top of the sixth.

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