The Korean youth baseball team under the age of 18 (U-18) has confirmed its advance to the super round by beating Mexico with pitcher Hwang Joon-seo (Jang Chung-go)’s good pitching. Hwang Joon-seo proved that he is the leading candidate for the Hanwha Eagles’ overall No. 1 nomination in the upcoming rookie draft with 5.1 scoreless innings.
South Korea won 2-1 in its fourth match against Mexico in the preliminary round of the 31st World Youth Baseball Championship in Taichung, Taiwan, at 11 a.m. on Sept. 5. 스포츠토토탑
Mexico took the first run on the day. Mexico succeeded in stealing after sixth batter Rodriguez got on base with a right-handed hit after one out in the top of the second inning, and advanced to third base when the seventh batter flew out to right field. When the eighth batter Casillas batted, the third baseman stepped home and scored first due to the national team’s infield defense error.
South Korea, which failed to make any significant attacks except for leadoff hitter Lee Chung-heon’s double in the bottom of the first inning, had a chance to score first and third base with one out after No. 6 Cho Hyun-min got on base with a right-handed hit and Lee Yul-ye’s choice. No. 9 Yeonjun-won didn’t miss the opportunity and hit a timely RBI left-handed hit to return the game to square one.
Hwang Joon-seo, who came up to the mound after Mir before the start, pitched well with one hit, six strikeouts and no runs in 5.1 innings, neutralizing the Mexican batters. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Yeo Dong-gun’s walk and Lee Seung-min’s right-handed hit created a chance to first and third base with one out. Follow-up hitter Cho Hyun-min succeeded in a squeeze bunt with excellent operational performance and sense, eventually reversing the game.
South Korea, which confirmed its advance to the super round with a victory over Mexico (3 wins and 1 loss), will play its final preliminary round match against Puerto Rico on the 6th and move to Taipei, where the super round will be held.
