*This content was translated by AI.
The South Korean under-18 (U-18) baseball national team, aiming to reclaim Asian supremacy, has completed its group stage flawlessly. With three consecutive victories securing first place in Group B, Cha Ji-han (CEO) will now move to the decisive venue, Taipei Dome, to prepare for the long-awaited match against Japan.
Head coach Jung Yun-jin (55, Deoksu High School) led Lee Kkeu-neun (CEO) to a 14-0 victory over Thailand in five innings via a cold game during the third group stage match of the 14th Asian Youth Baseball Championship held on the 9th at Xinzhang Stadium in New Taipei City, Taiwan.
Earlier, South Korea defeated host nation Taiwan 2-0 in the opening match and secured a 15-0 cold-game win against Singapore in the second match. With three straight victories, the team confirmed first place in Group B. Over the three group stage games, they scored 31 runs while allowing zero runs.
Even the final check was clean. Despite intermittent rain and poor weather conditions, the pitching staff combined for a perfect five-inning performance against Thailand's lineup. Starting pitcher Kim Min-hoon (18, Gwangju Jinheung High School) recorded four strikeouts over his scheduled two innings. Subsequently, Han Gyu-min (17, Daejeon High School), Kwak Do-hyun (18, Busan Public High School), and Yoon Ye-seong (17, Inchang High School) each pitched one inning, recording three strikeouts apiece.
Lee Ro-sseo (CEO) utilized all six pitchers in the group stage, including Hwang Hyun-seung (18, Busan High School) and Park Geun-seo (18, Seoul Design High School). With only six pitchers available, managing the pitching staff became a critical variable for the upcoming Super Round. It is significant that the team checked all players during the group stage without allowing any runs.
The position players also received starting opportunities: all 12 were used. This approach ensured the team avoided over-reliance on specific players early in the tournament and evaluated the full roster evenly. Against Thailand, they recorded seven hits (including extra-base hits) to score 14 runs. The highlight came in the bottom of the fourth inning.
With South Korea leading 11-0 and two outs with runners on second and third bases, Hwang Sung-hyun (18, Deoksu High School) hit the opposing pitcher's first pitch over the left-field wall for a three-run home run — the team's first home run of this tournament. Eom Jun-sang (18, Deoksu High School), Lee Ho-min (18, Gyeongnam High School), and Won Ji-woo (18, Gangneung High School) also recorded consecutive doubles, demonstrating their power-hitting capability.
The biggest hurdle of the group stage — the match against Taiwan — has already been overcome. On the 7th, South Korea defeated host nation Taiwan 2-0 in their opening game. Although Taiwan remains a strong contender for the championship this tournament, the national team secured the most crucial first step with a solid pitching performance.
Immediately after the victory, head coach Jung Yun-jin stated, "We will prepare calmly and humbly for the Japan match to maintain our rhythm." After securing a cold-game win against Singapore in the second match, he gathered the players individually to emphasize that they must give their best effort regardless of the opponent, maintaining high tension.
Attention now turns to Japan. Also competing in Group A, Japan won all three group stage matches via cold games against the Philippines, finishing with three straight victories and first place in Group A to advance to the Super Round. The second-place team in Group A is the Philippines with two wins and one loss.
After a day of rest on the 10th, South Korea will face Japan in the first Super Round match at Taipei Dome on the afternoon of the 11th at 1:30 p.m. On the 12th, they will play against the Philippines. All Super Round matches, the bronze medal game, and the championship final will be held at Taipei Dome.
This Japan-Korea match is effectively a decider for advancement to the finals. If South Korea defeats Japan, they will secure a favorable position to virtually guarantee a spot in the final. Conversely, a loss would require evaluating all possible scenarios, including the result of the Philippines match on the 12th.
Both teams desperately seek the championship. The last time the South Korean U-18 national team reached the top of an international tournament was at the 2018 Asian Championship. At the 2024 Asian Championship, they finished third behind Taiwan and Japan, and in last year's U-18 Baseball World Cup, they placed fourth behind the United States, Japan, and Taiwan. Japan's situation is similar: although they won last year's U-18 Baseball World Cup, they have not won a gold medal at the Asian Championship since 2016.
Ace pitcher Hwang Hyun-seung will take the mound again for the Japan-Korea match on the 11th. In the group stage opener against Taiwan, he pitched 5⅔ innings, allowing two hits and recording 12 strikeouts in a scoreless performance that led South Korea to victory before exiting after throwing just 90 pitches. Under tournament regulations, pitchers who throw up to 90 pitches must rest for three days before appearing again. It remains to be seen what kind of performance Hwang Hyun-seung will deliver after sufficient rest.
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*This content was translated by AI.
