The Korean national team (hereinafter South Korea), led by head coach Park Gye-won, lost to Taiwan in the first game of the 13th Asian Youth Baseball Championship (under 18 years old, U-18).
Korea lost to Taiwan 0-1 in the first Group A preliminary round match held at the Taipei Tea Choreum Stadium on Sunday. Having lost to Taiwan 1-6 at the World Baseball Championship last year, Korea sought to avenge its loss in a year, but suffered a bitter taste of defeat again as its batters remained silent this time.
The pitching staff played their part. Jeong Hyeon-woo (Duck High School), the top left-hander in high school as a starting pitcher, allowed two hits, one walk and four strikeouts during two ⅓ innings, and Bae Chan-seung, a left-hander of Daegu High School, pitched three hits, one walk and seven strikeouts during three ⅔ innings, effectively blocking the Taiwanese batters. However, the batters were tightly bound by Taiwanese starter Chen Mu-hung (two hits, one walk and seven strikeouts during five ⅓ innings) and Lin Po-chun (two strikeouts during the first ⅔ innings), who was serving as relief pitcher.
South Korea’s Yeom Seung-won (Hwi Bookstore) survived by a second baseman error after two batters struck out consecutively swinging in the top of the first inning. Subsequently, Park Joon-soon (Deoksu High School) had a chance to score with two outs and runners on the first and second bases, but Shim Jae-hoon (Yoo Shin-go) was struck out swinging and failed to take advantage of the opportunity to score. 메이저사이트
Chung grounded out in the first inning, struck out two and grounded out in the second inning, continuing his three-out streak. However, he couldn’t overcome the crisis in the third inning. He had a double and a hit in the bottom of the third inning, putting himself on the verge of first and third bases with no outs. He garnered one out count by striking out, but allowed himself a run with one out and a bases loaded with one out due to a hit ball. It was the only score between the two teams.
Taking over the mound with one out and a bases-loaded walk, Bae struck out and grounded out to first base to end the third inning without allowing any additional runs. Afterwards, Bae recorded strikeouts in every inning until the sixth inning, silencing the Taiwanese batters. Notably, he recorded all three outs in the bottom of the sixth inning with strikeouts.
However, the batters did not respond to the pitchers’ strong pitching. After one out in the top of the fifth inning, Su-ho (Daegu Sangwon High School) succeeded in getting on base with a walk, but his chance was wasted due to a disappointing checker. After one out in the top of the sixth inning, Park Jae-hyun (Incheon High School) had a heavy hit and wild pitch to create a chance to score with one out and second base. When Oh Jae-won (Yoo Shin-go) struck out, Park Ji-hyun successfully stole the third base, creating a chance to score with two outs and third base, but Yeom Seung-won failed to score as he was forced to hit a straight line at second base.
Meanwhile, South Korea is in Group A with Taiwan, Pakistan, and Thailand. South Korea, which is seeking its second consecutive win since the 2018 Miyazaki Games in Japan, lost in the first round, but if it beats Thailand and Pakistan, it can aim to advance to the Super Round, where the top two teams will advance. South Korea will play against Thailand at 7:30 p.m. on the 3rd and Pakistan at 2:30 p.m. on the 4th.
