Maki and Morishita power Japan to second Premier12 win

The much-anticipated showdown between Asian baseball powerhouses, World No. 1 Japan and No. 6 Korea, was a sea-saw game during the first half. Japan and Korea changed leads several times until Japan broke through in the fifth. A two-run shot in the seventh set the tone of the game as Japan came from behind to win, 6-3, and stay undefeated in the WBSC Premier12 2024, presented by RAXUS.

Korea wasted no time starting their offence when leadoff hitter Changki Hong singled to the left in the top of the first, and in the bottom of the first, Korea stater Seung Yong Choi pitched a perfect three-up, three-down inning.

In the second inning Korea displayed their power and aggressiveness by producing three hits and scoring the first run of the night to take a 1-0 lead over Japan.

Trailing by one run, Japan answered right back in the bottom of the second inning, with Shota Morishita and Ryota Kurihara producing back-to-back singles with no out. They both scored on Shogo Kurebayashi’s single.

It was Korea’s turn to respond in the fourth inning when Dong Won Park drove a long ball into the left-field bleachers to tie the game. In the fifth, Seung Yeup Na’s double drove Min Jae Shin home and gave Korea a 3-2 lead.

The lead didn’t last long. Japan’s offence took advantage of a pair of walks and a hit-by-pitch that loaded the base and presented a great opportunity for Maki to do some damage. The Japan Series-winning first baseman delivered a bases-loaded single that drove in two runs for Japan to retake the lead. Samurai Japan didn't need to look back.

The defending Premier12 champions added a pair of runs in the seventh when Morishita hit a two-run homer that sealed the score to 6-3

Korea manager Joong-Il Ryu said postgame, “I think our pitchers did a decent job today, especially our last pitcher [Taekyeon KIM]. The Samurai Japan team has many great players, especially the pitchers. The fact that they produced many strikeouts is also something we can consider for the future selection of our starting pitchers.”

Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata thought it was a challenging game. “The fact that we were behind in the first half of the game presented a challenge for us. I am glad to see the outcome of the game..”
He also pointed out: “I am pretty impressed with Changki Hong and Do Yeong Kim for their aggressiveness in trying to get on base. I think all the hitters in the bottom half of their lineup have a very aggressive approach to the game.”

“Seeing how the game went, whoever won would have deserved it. I’d say that there is some luck on our side, and we were able to collect this win,” said Shota Morishita

The Hanshin Tigers superstar also thought that it was a challenging game. “I was the first to have a base hit, and the first to score, and ultimately hit the home run in the seventh. I am delighted by the accomplishment.”

Chihiro Sumida, who relieved starter Hiroto Takahashi in the fifth and fanned six batters over three innings of work, also praised Korea's lineup: "They have a great lineup, and I was just concentrating on communication with the catcher, and make adjustment as the game went on."

Japan (2-0) will face No. 2 Chinese Taipei (also 2-0) at the Taipei Dome. Korea (1-3) will play against No. 12 Dominican Republic (1-3) in an elimination game.