'He didn't even let them touch second base' — Japanese corporate league left-hander who erased the Korean lineup returns again within 48 hours! 160 km/h pitcher Kwak Bin, rested for six days, faces off in the final [Aichi Nagoya AG]

*This content was translated by AI.

The Korean national baseball team, on the final stretch toward a gold medal, will face again the pitcher who tightly bound them just 48 hours ago. This time, there is no retreat.

Led by manager Ryu Ji-hyun (55), South Korea will play Japan in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games baseball final at Toyohashi Citizens Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, at 6:30 p.m. on the 27th.

South Korea has named Kwak Bin (27, Doosan Bears) as its starting pitcher. Japan's choice is again Shin Higuchi (24, Oji Holdings). On the 25th, in their first matchup against South Korea, Higuchi earned the win with seven innings, four hits allowed, no walks, four strikeouts, and a scoreless performance. Korean batters failed to attack Japan's bullpen even after Higuchi was pulled off, managing to reach second base only once in nine innings before suffering a 0-5 defeat.

In terms of velocity alone, he was not an overwhelmingly dominant type. He mixed his mid-140s fastball with breaking balls like curveballs and changeups, but Korean batters could not easily exploit his fearless pitching inside the strike zone.

On the 25th, Higuchi stated via the official website of the Japanese national baseball team: "I heard that Korean batters have strong swing power, but our team emphasized that competing within the strike zone is most important. I trusted my catcher and swung at pitches aimed at the mitt."

Korean batters lost their timing due to Higuchi's aggressive approach. They recorded three double plays and failed to create any meaningful scoring opportunities. For Higuchi, who is expected to participate in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) rookie draft after this tournament, it was the ultimate showcase stage.

Higuchi led Japan to victory with six innings, six hits allowed, ten strikeouts, and one earned run against China in the group stage opener on the 21st. In the match against South Korea, he again pitched seven innings, allowing four hits, no walks, striking out four batters, and remaining scoreless — throwing a total of 13 innings across two games while surrendering only one run. However, rest days remain a variable. Japan rested Higuchi for just one day after his seven-inning, 92-pitch performance against South Korea on the 26th before sending him back to the mound. This is Japan's bold strategy of relying on its most trusted card in the final.

In contrast, South Korea has prepared its ace with ample rest. Kwak Bin will take the mound exactly six days after his appearance in the group stage opener against Taiwan on the 21st. In that game, he allowed no hits over six innings, recorded ten strikeouts, and led his team to a 5-0 victory. His only baserunners were two walks.

Kwak Bin was also among the top pitchers in the KBO League this season. In 26 regular-season games, he pitched 155 innings, posting a record of 11 wins and 7 losses with an ERA of 2.26. He led the league with 186 strikeouts and recorded the lowest ERA. His maximum velocity reached 160.3 km/h.

This is a showdown between KBO's top ace, Kwak Bin, who has fully rested, and Japan's premier corporate league left-hander, Higuchi, who erased the Korean lineup just two days ago and returned after only one day of rest.

History is also at stake. South Korea has won four consecutive Asian Games titles since Guangzhou 2010, followed by Incheon 2014, Jakarta-Palembang 2018, and Hangzhou 2022. A victory this time would mark the first-ever five-peat in history.

For Japan, a 32-year wait hangs in the balance. Japan's last Asian Games gold medal came at the 1994 Hiroshima Games held on home soil. In this tournament, they have won all five games from the group stage through the super round, leaving just one match to secure their first championship in 32 years.

As Kwak Bin, rested for six days, holds off the Japanese lineup, the fate of South Korea's fifth consecutive Asian Games title rests on how quickly the Korean offense can bring down Higuchi, who has rested only one day.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.