Japan got off to a good start into the World Cup of Baseball. They dominated South Africa to win 11-1.
The South African team scored first and build up a surprising 1-0 lead after one frame. But the Japanese players were not shocked and answered with three runs in the second. They added a run each in the third and fourth frame to take a 5-1 advantage. Six more runs at the end of the game secured the victory definitively.
Japan outhits South Africa fifteen to three to receive the expected clear result. Yasuyuki SAIGO (3-5, 3 RBI) hit a homerun. Testuya KOKUBO and Kenchi YOKOYAMA had three hits apiece. Kanya SUZUKI batted three runs in.
Brett WILLENBURG was two for four.
Tadashi SETTSU (W 1-0) got the win. He allowed two hits, one run and three base on balls. He struck out 17.
Ekermans SHANNON (L 0-1) was hit hard and lost. He gave up three runs on five hits and four walks.
SAF 100 000 000 1 3 3
JAP 031 100 33X 11 15 0