Japan wins gold at World University Baseball Championship
The sixth edition of the World University Baseball Championship was played by eight teams in Chiayi City, Chinese Taipei. FISU started the tournament in 2002 and the last edition was played in 2010. Japan is the third Nation to win, after Cuba and USA
Japan won the World University Baseball Championship defeating, 8-3, the hosts Chinese Taipei in the gold medal game played in Chiayi City.
Hiromu Ise earned the win going seven innings and allowing one run over 6 hits.
Chinese Taipei took the lead in the second. Japan scored two in the third on a home run by right fielder Tatsuya Ochi off Shuo Cheng Wei.
In the fourth Japan added four runs, taking full advantage of a throwing error by Wei and adding three hits against reliever Hsuan Ta Liu.
South Korea claimed a bronze medal as they defeated, 7-4, the USA in the third place game.
Starter Jun Young Choi dominated USA’s line up for six innings and when the American offense got to him, Korea was sitting on a comfortable 7-0 lead, built by strong performances by the top of the batting order. Left fielder Sun Hyeong Yoo went 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs. Shortstop Woo Gun Kim and second baseman Don Kyu Kim had both 2 RBIs.
The World University Baseball Championship 2018 was played by eight teams. These are the final standings:
1 Japan
2 Chinese Taipei
3 South Korea
4 USA
5 Czech Republic
6 Russia
7 Australia
8 Hong Kong
It was the sixth edition of the World University Baseball Championship and the first won by Japan.
USA won 3 (2004, 2006, 2008) of the previous 5 editions and Cuba won the other 2 (2002, 2010).
