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The South Korean national under-18 baseball team defeated Japan in the final of the Asian Baseball Championship to claim the championship for the first time in eight years. Ace pitcher Ha Hyun-seung was named MVP, capping off an outstanding tournament with three consecutive scoreless appearances, including a dominant complete-game shutout in the final.
Reporter Lee Seonghun has the details.
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Ha Hyun-seung, who pitched three perfect innings in relief against Japan two days prior, showcased another terrifying pitching display in the final despite having just one day of rest.
Although he issued a walk to the first batter in the first inning, he put out the fire with a sacrifice bunt attempt resulting in an out and a double play. He then completely shut down the Japanese lineup without allowing a single hit until two outs in the sixth inning.
Backed by Ha's stellar pitching, the national team's offense capitalized on an opponent fielding error with one out and runners on the corners in the second inning to score the game's first run. In the fifth inning, with one out and runners on first and third, Cho Hee-sung delivered an RBI single to secure a precious insurance run.
Taking the mound again in the final seventh inning, Ha struck out the three core Japanese batters in order to seal his complete-game shutout and the national team's return to the top of Asia after eight years.
Ha was named the tournament MVP after delivering an unbelievable performance across three games, pitching 15 and 2/3 innings with 25 strikeouts and zero runs allowed.
[Ha Hyun-seung / U-18 Asian Baseball Championship MVP : My condition wasn't quite at its best, but I tried to push myself as much as possible, which I think led to the complete game. Once I enter the pros, my goal is to perform well in the first team as soon as possible.]
Key players of the national team, including Ha, returned home today (September 14) and will take their first steps into professional baseball by participating in the KBO rookie draft on September 21.
(Video Editing: Park Gi-deuk)
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