Japan Samurai U-12 National Team Finishes 4th in WBSC U-12 World Cup
Match Report
August 6, 2023
The Japan Samurai U-12 National Team faced off against Venezuela in the 3rd place match on the last day of the “7th WBSC U-12 World Cup” in Tainan, Taiwan. Seeking redemption after suffering a 1-7 defeat in the opening round, Japan fought hard but ultimately lost 8-9, finishing the tournament in 4th place.
In a closely contested match that showcased the growth of the players throughout the tournament, Japan fell just short of victory. Left-hander Sosuke Mizuno (Musashi Fuchu Little Senior) took the mound as the starting pitcher. Despite pitching the day before, Mizuno had an important role to play after a high-scoring game by his teammates shortened his appearance. However, the first batter he faced hit a two-run homer on the first pitch, putting Japan 2 points behind with only 2 balls thrown.
Nevertheless, Japan’s batting lineup mounted a counter-attack in the following innings. Ren Mitsui (Matsudo Kashiwa Little League), who had been performing impressively throughout the tournament, hit a timely double to left-center field. Arata Suzuki (Funabashi Little League), who had returned to the starting lineup after recovering from illness, followed suit with a timely hit to right-center, bringing in another run. Hiroto Funayama (Higashi Nagoya Boys) then scored three more runs in the inning, thanks to a timely hit and a wild pitch, completely turning the game around.
The match became a back-and-forth battle from that point on. Despite surrendering two runs in the third inning, Renji Tachibana (Higashikurume Little Senior) hit a 3-run homer for the third consecutive game, scoring 6 runs against Willy Rodriguez, who had pitched a no-hitter against Mexico in the opening game.
Akira Oguri (Gifu Tono Little League), who came in as a relief pitcher in the middle of the 3rd inning, delivered a solid performance and kept the opponent scoreless in the 4th inning, including 2 strikeouts.
However, Venezuela’s potent batting lineup proved relentless. In the 5th inning, Oguri gave up a hit and then a 2-run homer, tying the game once again. In the 6th inning, he couldn’t control the situation, allowing the opposing team to take the lead after a walk and a hit.
Despite the setback, Japan refused to give up. Yusuke Koma (Konan Big Boys) reached base with a hit, and Mitsui, who had been instrumental in Japan’s defense at third base throughout the tournament, hit a 2-run homer to center field, bringing Japan within 1 point.
Kengo Wada (Tsu Boys) continued the offensive effort with a hit, but pinch hitter Eishin Miyano (Sendai Ikuei Gakuen Shumitsu Boys) struck out, leaving the team unable to score. The players fought hard until the end but fell short, leaving them in tears of frustration.
Although Japan did not secure a medal after finishing 3rd in the 2nd tournament (2013) and 2nd in the 5th tournament (2019), they displayed their determination by starting the first 3 games with 1 win and 2 losses. Overcoming this adversity, they went on a five-game winning streak, firmly establishing themselves as contenders for a medal. Despite the opening round being postponed due to rain, the players showed great resilience by playing nine consecutive games.
Manager/Player Comments – Hirokazu Ibata
“It was admirable to see the team make a comeback after falling behind. I am grateful that they never gave up and fought until the end. The three-game winning streak in the Super Round was a surprising achievement for the players. Although we fell short of becoming world champions due to my lack of preparation for the 3rd place match today, I believe this experience will be valuable for the players. They should not become complacent and continue working hard to improve their skills.”
Player Comments:
Hiroto Funayama (Higashi Nagoya Boys)
“I am proud that I never gave up and played until the end. My initial goal was to hit one home run, but I managed to hit four.”
Aosuke Mizuno (Younger Musashi Fuchu)
“It is extremely frustrating that we were not able to capitalize on the team’s effort to turn the game around. If I had played better, we could have won. From now on, I will strive to win every game I pitch for my team.”
Akira Oguri (Gifu Tono Little League)
“I was initially nervous when called upon to pitch, but once I stepped onto the mound, I was determined to give my best and limit the opponent.”
Shindai Suzuki (Funabashi Little League)
“I had not scored an RBI in this tournament until now, so I am glad I could contribute to the team with my hit. As the last batter, I felt the weight of everyone’s expectations and was determined to deliver. My goal is to be selected for the under-15 and under-18 national teams and eventually become a professional baseball player.”
Ren Mitsui (Kashiwa Matsudo Little League)
“I hit my home run and gave my all in this last game, aiming to return to Japan with a smile. It is disappointing to finish in 4th place due to some mistakes, but I have shown my dedication throughout the tournament. I have learned a lot from this experience and recognize the importance of teamwork. In the U-15 category, I want to become the best in the world and surpass Shohei Ohtani to become a professional baseball player.”
7th WBSC U-12 World Cup
Meeting Players Summary
Tournament Period:
- Between July 28th and August 6th, 2023
Opening Round:
- Friday, July 28, 12:00 – Japan (postponed due to rain) Mexico
- Saturday, July 29, 19:30 – Chinese Taipei 3-2 Japan
- Sunday, July 30, 19:30 – Japan 16-0 Germany
- Monday, July 31, 15:30 – Venezuela 7-1 Japan
- Tuesday, August 1, 12:00 – Japan 15-0 Australia
- Wednesday, August 2, 12:00 – Japan 12-6 Mexico
Super Round:
- Thursday, August 3, 12:00 – Japan 7-4 Korea
- Friday, August 4, 12:00 – United States 0-7 Japan
- Saturday, August 5, 12:00 – Dominican Republic 1-13 Japan
3rd Place Game:
- Sunday, August 6, 15:30 – Japan 8-9 Venezuela
Location:
- Tainan, Taiwan
Participating Countries and Regions:
- Group A: Japan, Mexico, Chinese Taipei, Venezuela, Australia, Germany
- Group B: USA, South Korea, Dominican Republic, Panama, Czech Republic, New Zealand
match report
August 6, 2023
On August 6, the last day of the “7th WBSC U-12 World Cup” took place (Tainan, Taiwan), and the Japan Samurai U-12 National Team faced Venezuela in the 3rd place match. He tried to take revenge on the opponent who lost 1-7 in the opening round, but lost 8-9 and finished the tournament in 4th place.
Although they played a close game with Venezuela in a battle that symbolizes the growth of the players of the tournament, they fell short.
Left-hander Sosuke Mizuno (Musashi Fuchu Little Senior) took the starting mound. Although he started the day before, he fell with only 21 balls due to a large number of points scored by his teammates, so he had an important role on this day as well. However, when he allowed the first batter to hit the right front with the first pitch, he was also targeted by the following batter’s first pitch, and the ball went over the right-center fence and became a two-run homer. Lose 2 points with only 2 balls.
Yet, when the following and the top of the second innings are stopped, the batting line-up starts a counter-attack behind him. Ren Mitsui (Matsudo Kashiwa Little League), who is performing well in this tournament, hits a double to break left-center field, and Arata Suzuki (Funabashi Little League), who has returned to the starting lineup since yesterday after suffering from ill health, moved timely to right center after two outs Released and returned 1 point. In addition, Hiroto Funayama (Higashi Nagoya Boys) scored three points in this inning with a timely and wild pitch, which he was able to reverse immediately.
After that, it became a see-saw game. Despite missing two runs in the third inning, Renji Tachibana (Higashikurume Little Senior) hit a 3-run homer for the third game in a row to turn the game around. A total of 6 points were scored by Willy Rodriguez, who managed to win a no-hitter in the opening game against Mexico.
Additionally, Akira Oguri (Gifu Tono Little League), who was on the mound in reserve in the middle of the 3rd inning, pitched a good run and kept the 4th inning scoreless, including 2 strikeouts.
However, Venezuela’s powerful batting line-up is trembling. In the 5th inning, Oguri hit a hit with two outs and hit a 2-run homer to tie the game. With this, the game was returned to the beginning, and in the 6th inning, he did not manage to hold on to the pinch that he invited with a walk and a hit, and allowed the game to go ahead.
However, no one stood behind him without giving up. When Yusuke Koma (Konan Big Boys) got on base with a hit, Mitsui, who had made a great contribution to third base defense throughout the tournament, hit a 2-run homer to center to close within 1 point.
Additionally, Kengo Wada (Tsu Boys) continued with hits, but pinch hitter Eishin Miyano (Sendai Ikuei Gakuen Shumitsu Boys) missed and was struck out. The players fought desperately but failed to reach 1 point, and the players shed tears of frustration.
After finishing 3rd in the 2nd tournament (2013) and 2nd in the 5th tournament (2019), he didn’t win a medal, but in the first 3 games he won 1 and lost 2 and said, “I can’t lose even one more .” After being driven to this position, with five consecutive wins, they emerged as medal contenders. Although the opening round was postponed due to rain, the players fought hard despite it 9 games in a row.
Manager/Manager Player Comments Hirokazu Ibata
“Even though they gave us the lead, it was great to catch up and come back. I’m thankful they didn’t give up and hold on. The three game winning streak in the Super Round was a surprise to the players. I was able to become the best in the world without a doubt, and the fact that I was not able to raise the condition of the players for the 3rd place match today was due to my lack of study, perhaps the physical strength of the players could i didn’t keep up with them in the 9 games in a row. There is value in being able to experience such a platform and aim for the championship, so this experience was one step short of them. I want them to take advantage of this and working on baseball without being complacent.”
Hiroto Funayama (Higashi Nagoya Boys)
“I was able to play until the end without giving up. My goal was to hit one home run, but I managed to hit four.
Aosuke Mizuno (Younger Musashi Fuchu)
“It’s very frustrating that everyone went to the trouble of turning things around. It was a game I could have won if I had played well. From now on, I will play in a way that I can win all the games that I throw my team into
Akira Oguri (Gifu Tono Little League)
“I was worried when I was asked to pitch, but once I got on the mound, I was determined to keep it down.
Shindai Suzuki (Funabashi Little League)
“I hadn’t scored an RBI in this tournament yet, so I’m glad I was able to hit for the team. I was the last batsman, but I felt that I would definitely hit with everyone’s thoughts on my back. to become a player selected for the under-15 and under-18 national teams, and one day play an active role in professional baseball.”
Ren Mitsui (Kashiwa Matsudo Little League)
“(Three hits including a home run) I hit it because it was the last game, so I thought I will definitely come back to Japan with a smile. It was disappointing to finish in 4th place due to some mistakes, but I was able to show my daily efforts. I learned a lot on the big stage, and I learned the importance of working together as a team. Next in U-15 I want to become the best in the world, and become a professional baseball player one day, surpassing Shohei Ohtani.”
7th WBSC U-12 World Cup
Meeting players summary
Tournament period
Between July 28th and August 6th, 2023
opening round
Friday, July 28, 12:00 Japan (postponed due to rain) Mexico
Saturday, July 29 19:30 Chinese Taipei 3-2 Japan
Sunday, July 30 19:30 Japan 16-0 Germany
Monday, July 31 15:30 Venezuela 7-1 Japan
Tuesday, August 1 12:00 Japan 15-0 Australia
Wednesday, August 2 12:00 Japan 12-6 Mexico
* Start time is Japan time (Taiwan: time difference -1 hour)
super round
Thursday, August 3 12:00 Japan 7-4 Korea
Friday, August 4 12:00 United States 0-7 Japan
Saturday, August 5 12:00 Dominican Republic 1-13 Japan
* Start time is Japan time (Taiwan: time difference -1 hour)
3rd place game
Sunday, August 6 15:30 Japan 8-9 Venezuela
* Start time is Japan time (Taiwan: time difference -1 hour)
location
Taiwan (Tainan)
Participating countries and regions
Group A
Japan, Mexico, Chinese Taipei, Venezuela, Australia, Germany
Group B
USA, South Korea, Dominican Republic, Panama, Czech Republic, New Zealand
#continuing #Akira #Oguris #good #relief #Ren #Mitsuis #home #run #fell #short #Venezuela #point #finished #tournament #4th #place #U12 #Game #Report
