Premier 12 Quarterfinals: Japan Remains Undefeated
- Updated: November 17, 2015
Team Japan, the number one ranked country in the WBSC Premier 12 championships, has remained perfect from the opening round, to advancing to the Semi’s with a 9-3 victory over Puerto Rico.
On Monday afternoon, Japan banged out 13 hits, while scoring nearly at will in each inning, throughout the entire game. Team Puerto Rico woke up in the top of the ninth adding three runs on a three run home run off the bat of Joiset Feliciano , but it was too late and the six run lead was too much to overcome.
Japan’s offense was led by Hayato Sakamoto (2 for 5, Double, 3 RBI), Yoshitomo Tsutsugo (3 for 5, RBI), Ryosuke Hirata (2 for 5, Double, Triple, RBI) and Akira Nakamura (2 for 3, 3 R, 2 RBI).
On the mound, Kenta Maeda won his first tourney game, tossing seven shutout innings, allowing for hits, no walks, with seven strikeouts.
Puerto Rico’s starter Luis Cintron, lasted just 2.2 innings, allowing two runs, on four hits, walking three and striking out one.
Japan will face South Korea on Thursday in the first Semi-Final match-up.
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