By Gabriel Fidler, Managing Editor.
Through a full seven innings against second-ranked Taiwan, Germany’s hopes of qualifying for the Super Round at the Under-18 Baseball World Cup remained alive, while Italy and South Africa tangled in a thrilling final game of round robin play from Okinawa.
South Korea – South Africa
After finding itself down 13-0 in the bottom of the third on Sunday, South Africa returned to the field against South Korea, ranked No. 4 in the world by WBSC. When the game began, South Korea had scored five runs in the first, three with two out. Aiden McKenzie lined a single to center with one out in the bottom of the second to give South Africa some hope of an immediate answer, but rifle-armed catcher Yeon-Woo Lee caught McKenzie stealing and a strikeout ended the threat.
South Korea added seven more in the second and a single run in the top of the third, with play resuming with two outs in the bottom half. Donovan Wallendorf, who was electric as a pinch runner against Italy in yesterday’s game, drew a full-count walk after the game began again, but, Jun-Sung Park manufactured a bouncer to the left side to end the inning.
The walk and McKenzie’s hit would be the only baserunners against South Korea’s moundsmen. The East Asian heavyweights added four more runs in the fourth, though Imaad Hassiem would return for the fifth and hold the Koreans scoreless.
Day 7 Schedule
With pool play now concluded, South Africa will taken on China in the first game of the Placement Round. The day will also feature the first and only head-to-head game between the European nations, with Germany taking on Italy in the second matchup of the day.
Final Group A Standings
Japan: 5-0
South Korea: 4-1
Puerto Rico: 3-2
Cuba: 2-3
Italy: 1-4
South Africa: 0-5
Final Group B Standings
U.S.A.: 5-0
Taiwan: 4-1
Panamá: 2-3
Australia: 2-3
Germany: 2-3
China: 0-5
Box Scores are available here [link]. See our other Under-18 Baseball World Cup coverage:
Preview [link].
Day 1 Results [link].
Day 2 Results [link].
Day 3 Results [link].
Day 4 Results [link].
Day 5 Results [link].