FISU World University Baseball Championship off to a flying start

Close game between Korea and Czech Republic, mercy rule called in as Japan beat Russia 15-0

The FISU World University Baseball Championship in Chiayi, Chinese Taipei, was off to a flying start with Korea winning a tight game against Czech Republic, 10-9 in extra innings. The two teams were deadlocked until the 8th innings, tied at 8-8. Kim Tae Woo then hit a game-winning sacrifice fly for Korea to take the lead and they closed out the game with a Czech strikeout soon after.

“I was eager to win the tiebreaker,” said Korean pitcher Kin Jin Su, who got the key strike out in the 10th innings. “Even though it made me nervous, I still kept telling myself to focus on the hitter.”

The USA team from the Univesity of Kansas and Hong Kong change souvenirs before the start of their first game of the tournament 

Three-time WUC winners, Team USA took on debutants Hong Kong and coasted to a comfortable 16-1 victory, thanks to a stellar showing from starting Pitcher Ryan Zeferjahn. Coach Ritchie Price said, “Zeferjahn is the most remarkable pitcher in the United States and I suspect that he will be signed with a team next year, in the Major League Baseball Draft.”

 Game 1 starting pitcher for Team Japan, Ise Hiromu, helped his team blank the Russian contingent to start the World University Baseball Championship

It was also an easy win for Japan, who defeated Russia 15-0, with the mercy rule coming in and stopping the game in the seventh inning. Japan wasted no time in taking control of the game and came out all guns blazing. Their match against USA will be the marquee match in the Group stages. The group action continues on Day 2, with the Czech Republic taking on Australia, Russia going up against fellow debutantes Hong Kong and hosts Taipei versus Korea.

Catch the action through all ten days of the 6th edition of the FISU World University Baseball Championship, from 6-15 July 2018 here on live streaming.