▲ Players of the Under-18 (U-18) national baseball team pose for a commemorative photo ahead of the opening ceremony of the Asian Youth Baseball Championship at the Tianmu Baseball Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan, on the 7th.
The South Korean national baseball team has advanced to the final of the Under-18 (U-18) Asian Youth Baseball Championship.
Led by Manager Jung Yoon-jin of Duksoo High School, the national team defeated the Philippines 6-0 in their second Super Round match of the tournament held at the Taipei Dome in Taiwan today (September 12).
Having advanced to the Super Round as the top seed from Group B with three consecutive wins, South Korea sequentially defeated Japan and the Philippines—the top two teams from Group A—maintaining a flawless 5-0 record in the tournament to secure a spot in the final, where they will pursue their first championship in eight years.
South Korea will play the final against the winner of the Japan-Taiwan match held this afternoon, at the Taipei Dome at 7:30 PM on September 13.
Facing the Philippines, South Korea opened the scoring in the second inning when Kang In-gyu (Cheongju High School), the eighth batter and third baseman, hit an RBI single to right field.
In the third inning, South Korea capitalized on a wild pitch and a balk by the Philippine pitcher to score an easy run, followed by Lee Ho-min (Gyeongnam High School)'s double to center field to add another run, taking a 3-0 lead.
South Korea extended their lead to 5-0 in the fourth inning by capitalizing on an outfield fielding error by the Philippines and a sacrifice fly by Park Bo-seung (Gyeongnam High School), effectively sealing the victory.
Starting pitcher Kwak Do-hyun (Busan Technical High School), a right-hander, pitched brilliantly by striking out an impressive 11 batters while allowing just one hit and no runs over 4 and 2/3 innings, completely shutting down the Philippine lineup.
Subsequently, Yoon Ye-sung (Inchang High School) and Han Gyu-min (Daejeon High School) took the mound in relief, cleanly closing out the remaining 2 and 1/3 innings.
(Photo courtesy of Korea Baseball Softball Association, Yonhap News)
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