Aggressive running, solid hitting give Japan another win
Starting pitcher Mio Sakamoto was dominant, leadoff hitter was on in every at-bat. Japan shut out Chinese Taipei and is counting 19 runs scored overall in the day, without allowing one
Japan collected the second win of the day shutting out Chinese Taipei, 9-0 in five innings.
Once again, Japan’s game was a display of aggressive running.
Japan’s lead-off hitter reached in each of the four at-bats. In the first, in the second and in the third inning, head coach Yosuke Sato wasted no time in bunting the runners over. In the third, he waited until a two runners on and no out situation.
Catcher Haruki Sumitani singled in the first run of the game in the bottom of the first against starter Chen Ching Yu and homered off reliever Lin Chia Ying with a runner on in the bottom of the fourth. She enjoyed a three-hit game and batted in three runs. Second baseman and leadoff hitter Rino Setoguchi also got three hits.
The way Japan”s hitters appeared comfortable against any kind of offering from Chinese Taipei, made the team’s aggressive running even look redundant.
Mio Sakamoto cruised through Chinese Taipei line up allowing only two singles over four innings of work. Remi Shingu took care of the fifth inning.
