U-18 Baseball World Cup Day 1: Japan, Nicaragua, Korea win after thrillers
This is a full recap of the six games played in the opening game of the U-18 Baseball World Cup in Gijang, Korea. Inside you will find links that lead to the tournament page, boxscores and full reports
This is a full recap of the six games played in U-18 Baseball World Cup Day 1. Inside you will find links that lead you to the tournament page, boxscores and full reports.
Japan came from behind to beat Spain, 4-2.
Spanish starter Justin Luna had outdueled Japan’s Yousuke Ikeda for seven innings. He was working with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Japan’s centre fielder Keito Mori at first and a 2-0 lead. The inning was stretched by a defensive error. Second baseman Shoma Sakashita reached first and Mori advanced to second. Japan made the most of it: first baseman Yuya Nirasawa and third baseman Takaya Ishikawa tied the game with back to back singles. Left fielder Jo Endo doubled to make it 4-2.
Shuto Iizuka got the last three outs and earned the win for Japan.
A terrific performance by Justin Luna wasn’t enough for Spain
Canada outscored China, 17-3, to debut in the U-18 Baseball World Cup. Left-hander Mitchell Bratt went 5.2 innings to earn the win. Trailing 5-0, China scored three in the top of the third, but Canada wasted no time to open the score again in the bottom half of the frame.
The defending World Champions USA needed only seven innings to defeat South Africa, 11-0.
Strong pitching led Chinese Taipei to a 4-1 victory against Panama. Starter Chen Po Yu allowed only three hits over six innings of work. Relievers Lin Yu Min and Yu Chien took care of the last nine outs without allowing a hit.
Manager Chou Tsung Chih had praised defence and speed while describing his team. Actually, Chinese Taipei showcased some power, combining 11 hits, including five doubles and a triple.
Nicaragua won, 3-2, a thriller against Australia. In the bottom of the eighth, Nicaragua escaped a bases-loaded jam thanks to relievers Jovany Canales and Samuel Mendoza. In the top of the ninth, after blowing a squeeze play attempt, a base hit by Leyton Castillo won the game.
The last game of the day was also the most thrilling and needed one extra-inning. Korea blew a four-run lead but had the strength to come back and beat The Netherlands, 5-4, on a walk-off sacrifice fly by pinch hitter Yun Wonhoe.
