Kosei Nagakubo leads Japan over China with one-hitter

The defending Champions and World No. 1 Japan, defeated No. 24 China 2-0 in an old-fashioned pitching duel in front of a packed house to earn the first win of the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024 in Shaoxing, China on Saturday.

Left-handed Kosei Nagakubo threw five perfect innings. After China got their lone hit, he went the distance, striking out six without allowing a walk.

Right fielder Yuichiro Murakami reached on a one-out single in the bottom of the first for Japan's first hit. Right-hander Jian Yi walked the following batter. Takankori Takahashi put Japan ahead with a two-out single down the left field line.

Left-hander Wei Zhao took over for Yi in the bottom of the third and struck out the side to begin his effort.

Left-hander Kosei Nagakubo threw five perfect innings for Japan. Third baseman Aiqi Zhang led off the sixth with a single through the right side. It would be the only Chinese hit.

Japan added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Takuya Yamada singled to lead off the at-bat. He reached second on Ryo Imazato's one-out base hit. Japan scored the second run on Takanori Takahashi's two-out single.

Japan (1-1) will close Day 3 against No. 15 Australia. China (1-1) will face No. 11 Colombia at 10:00 local time.