03/09/2023 5 Minute Read

XXXI WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup-Day 4: Undefeated Chinese Taipei and Japan lead respective groups

The two Asian powerhouses recorded impressive wins over USA and Mexico while Puerto Rico also remain undefeated in Group A after collecting their second win. In Group B, the Netherlands emerged as the strongest candidate for a spot in the Super Round with their second win from three.

World No. 1 Japan and No. 5 Chinese Taipei sit on top of Group B and Group A respectively with three wins from as many games after an amazing day of action at the XXXI WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Taipei and Taichung City (TPE) on Sunday.

Japan won a game turned into a late thriller with the United States and are now alone on top of Group B. The Netherlands came from behind to clinch an emotional win against Panama to stand at two wins from three games and remain strong candidates for a spot in the Super Round.

Chinese Taipei beat Mexico and is cruising undefeated at the top of Group A. Behind the hosts, also undefeated but with only two games played, Puerto Rico also made a stand for a Super Round place by defeating Australia.

Czechia and Mexico in Group A and Spain in Group B are still winless.

The imminent impact of typhoon Haikui advised the WBSC and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to adjust the game times. Keep visiting the online tournament schedule for the latest timings.

Day 4 Results

Puerto Rico-Australia	6-0	BOX SCORE	GAME REPORT
Venezuela-Spain	6-1	BOX SCORE	GAME REPORT
Chinese Taipei-Mexico	4-1	BOX SCORE	GAME RECAP
Netherlands-Panama	4-3	BOX SCORE	GAME REPORT
Korea-Czechia	14-1	BOX SCORE	GAME REPORT
Japan-USA	4-3	BOX SCORE	GAME REPORT

U18_Baseball_World_Cup_Group_A_B_standings

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Japan-USA 4-3

It looked like another Samurai Japan show of strength until the bottom of the seventh when the United States came back roaring and made it a one-run game. Right-hander Kodai Mori came out of the bullpen to strike out left-hander Derek Curiel on a full count and end the game.

Japan took an early lead against left-handed starter Cooper Williams when Haruto Morito tripled with runners at first and second and two outs.

They added a run in the top of the fifth on a bases-loaded wild pitch by reliever Tegan Kuhn.

Ryusei Terachi hit a two-out RBI double to extend Japan's lead to 4-0 in the top of the sixth.

In the bottom of the sixth, Derek Curiel reached with a two-out double and ended starter Yugo Maeda's game, Kotaro Yasuda took the mound to end the threat with a strike out.

The US took advantage of a couple of walks and a wild pitch. They made it a one-run game on base hits by Manuelle Marin and Coy James.

With the potential tying run at second, Japan gave the call to Kodai Mori. The right-hander struck out left-handed slugger Derek Curiel with a change-up to end the game.

Korea-Czechia 14-1

Starter Ondrej Vank allowed singles to Tongkeon Yeo and Jiwhan Park. Korea scored two in the first, taking advantage of an error.

They added a run in the top of the third on an infield hit by Hyunmin Cho.

Korea broke the score open in the top of the fourth on doubles by Yuiye Lee, Tongkeon Yeo and Jihwan Park.

Netherlands-Panama 4-3

The Netherlands were on the verge of a loss when Panama's Dimas Oda doubled with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. José Carrion tried to score from first, but Tai Tromp gor him at home. In the top of the seventh the Dutch scored the winning run.

Panama's starter Marcos Pimentel allowed back-to-back walks to lead off the second. Terrence Heemskerk and Tai Tromp singled to put the Netherlands ahead and send him to the showers.

Miquel Willem welcomed reliever Moises Castillo with an RBI single to make it 2-0.

Middle infield proved again as asset for the Netherlands in the second inning.

Panama reversed the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Roderick Lezcano and Julio Casas got to Dutch starter Isaac Mendez with back-to-back singles. Lezcano scored on a groundout and José Gonzalez tied the game with an RBI single.

The Netherlands called left-hander Ryeteri Merite from the bullpen. Third baseman Dimas Oda dropped a bunt to execute the safety squeeze and give Panama their first lead.

It wouldn't last long. Dutch clean-up hitter Joan Sierra turned the second pitch by Castillo in the first out-of-the-park homer of the tournament to make it 3-3.

Panama blew a scoring opportunity in the bottom of the sixth when José Carrion tried to score on a double by Oda and became the third out at the plate.

The Netherlands took the lead in the top of the seventh. Keyon Ashby grounded to second with the bases loaded and one out, scoring Jamie Beerman from third.

Merite worked a quick bottom of the seventh to seal the win.

Chinese Taipei-Mexico 4-1

Three pitchers limited Mexico to five hits, and Chinese Taipei's timely hitting won the game in the late innings.

Chinese Taipei scored in the top of the second on an infield single to third base by Tien Szu Huang and a following throwing error.

Mexico made the most of two walks allowed by Chinese Taipei starter Jun Wei Zhang. Omar Bustamante hits a two-out RBI single to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth.

Chinese Taipei centre fielder Ching Hsien Ko retired Ichiro Cano at third and end the fifth inning.

The hosts got to reliever Juan Cazarez in the top of the sixth. Nian Hao Wang singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Back-to-back singles by Hsun Chieh Lee and Chao Hung Chang took him home. Reliever Jesus Rodriguez allowed a bases-loaded walk and extended Chinese Taipei lead to 3-1,

Hsun Chie Lee Chieh Leed added a fourth run with an RBI single in the top of the seventh.

Venezuela-Spain 6-1

Rain and the wind were a factor in Day 4's opener at Tianmu Stadium in Taipei City. Venezuela used a five-run rally in sixth at bat delayed by rain to earn their first win in the tournament.

The game started with a ten-minute delay due to a late shower.

Venezuela escaped a no-out and bases-loaded jam in the top of the first.

Danny Soto hit a two-out and opposite field single off starter Elia Geronimo to put Venezuela ahead in the bottom of the first.

Venezuela's defence protected Reyes in the second.

Lara led off Spain's sixth at-bat with a double down the left-field line. The game was delayed because of strong wind and hard rain with one ball on Rodolfo Figueredo.

As the game resumed, Spain scored the tying run as Venezuela couldn't complete the double play on a slow roller to second base.

Venezuela took the lead back in the bottom half of the frame. Soto led off with a double, advanced on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Coronado's single.

Venezuela loaded the bases before one more rain delay.

Venezuela broke the score open against new pitcher Pablo Costales as the game resumed. Gabriel Davadillo and Soto hit back-to-back singles to extend the lead to 5-1. Davalillo scored the sixth run on a wild pitch.

Spain put runners at second and third with one out against reliever Maximo Gonzalez. They tried to make a sacrifice fly on a pop to shallow left field, and Venezuela ended the game with a double play on the throw by Breyson Guedez to catcher Francisco Rivero.

Puerto Rico-Australia 6-0

Byron Madero and Jarrette Bonet limited Australia to four hits. Puerto Rico sat on an early 2-0 lead and recorded their second win in the tournament.

Alistair Tanner allowed a leadoff walk and didn't get much help from Australia's defence. A passed ball and an error gave Puerto Rico the lead, and a second run scored on Yeriel Pastrana's sacrifice fly.

Puerto Rico's starting pitcher Byron Madero proved untouchable for Australia.

Puerto Rico broke the score open in the bottom of the sixth against the Australian bullpen. Adonys Velez doubled, and Diego Garcia hit a two-RBI single.

Due to the impact of Typhoon Haikui and tomorrow's forecast, the Taichung City Government announced that Taichung City will be under a State of Emergency. The announcement includes the cease of all outdoor activities. The programme of Day 5 is on hold in Taichung. The WBSC Events Department has scheduled a meeting with the Local Organizing Committee for early morning on Monday. The WBSC will announce an update at 10 am (local time) on Monday, 4 September.

The programme of the games remains as scheduled in Taipei City.