Chinese Taipei, USA and Korea are tied in first place after the second day of the Super Round of the XXX WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup.
Korea earned a huge win against Chinese Taipei. The dramatic tie-break ending gives Korea a chance to compete for a spot in the World Championship game.
After suffering their first loss on Friday, the US had a rough start against Mexico. They could come back and stuck to the lead thanks to great defensive plays by their outfielders.
Japan's win against the Netherlands in a game called after five innings because of rain puts them in a good position for the bronze medal game.
Super Round-the results
Korea-Chinese Taipei 3-2 (8 innings) BOX SCORE read ARTICLE
Japan- Netherlands (5 innings) BOX SCORE read ARTICLE
USA-Mexico 7-5 BOX SCORE read ARTICLE
Placement Round-the results
Australia-Brazil 5-4 (9 innings) BOX SCORE read ARTICLE
Italy-Canada 3-2 BOX SCORE read ARTICLE
Panama- South Africa 10-1 BOX SCORE read ARTICLE
Korea-Chinese Taipei 3-2
Korea defeated Chinese Taipei, setting up a potential three-way tie at the top of the Super Round. The finish was dramatic. After a masterful pitching duel, Korea scored three in the top of the eighth. Chinese Taipei's comeback attempt fell just short, with the tying run stranded at third.
It's a close game at LECOM Park. There is no score in the top of the fifth.
With no score in the top of the sixth, the umpiring crew sent the teams back to their locker rooms on a weather alert.
After seven innings Korea and Chinese Taipei were still tied at zero. The game went to extra innings.
Despite a great diving stop by Chieh Hsi Huang at third, the throw went beyond first base and Korea take the lead in the top of the eighth.
Despite playing the infield in, Chinese Taipei couldn't get the runner at home and Korea made it 2-0.
Hyunbhin Moon singled to extend Korea's lead to 3-0.
With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, Chieh Hsi Huang hit a blooper to right field. The ball fell and allowed Chinese Taipei to score two runs. With Jun Wei Zheng at third, Huang tried to reach second but was caught in a trap between shortstop Jaesang Kim and first baseman Minsuk Kim and tagged for the out to end the game.
READ MORE
USA-Mexico 7-5
The United States had a rough start, had to go to the bullpen in the second inning, but came from behind to beat Mexico. Bryce Eldridge had a game-turning hit in the bottom of the third and picked the save pitching the top of the seventh.
Mexico built on defensive errors and made it 2-0 on a base hit by Yoel Romero.
The United States cut the lead to 2-1 on a sacrifice fly by Aidan Miller.
Rosman Verdugo made it 3-1 with a two single in the top of the second, sending US starter Blake Dickerson to the showers.
The US used a safety squeeze to make it 3-2 in the bottom of the second. Mexico call Juan Tirado from the bullpen to replace starter Victor Landeros.
The US reversed the lead on two doubles by Kevin McGonigle and Bryce Eldridge.
Colt Emerson singled to make it 5-3. Mexico made another pitching move and handed the ball to Luis Ramirez.
The US extended their lead to 7-3 making the most of a throwing error.
In the top of the fourth Carlos Gutierrez hit an RBI-single to cut the lead to 7-4.
Mexico didn't give up, but the US kept a 7-5 lead through the top of the fourth thanks to an outstanding throw home by Aidan Miller.
Maxwell Clark helped the US keep their lead with a great sliding catch. Mexico had two runners on.
Ichiro Can is touted as one of the top prospects in Mexico. He showed why in the bottom of the fifth.
READ MORE
Japan-Netherlands 1-0
A run scored on a groundout in the bottom of the third was all Japan needed to beat the Netherlands. The game was called after five innings because of the weather. Shiki Ikawara earned the win. Dutch starter Allard Helms suffered the loss despite allowing only one hit and two walks.
Japan took the lead in the bottom of the third. Kojun Fujimori scored from third on a grounder to second base by Yoshinobu Kuroda.
A weather alert delayed the game in the top of the sixth.
The game never resumed. The umpiring crew called it at 21:35.
READ MORE
