Match Report
August 25, 2023
Japan Samurai U15 National Team Advances to Finals in BFA Asian Under-15 Championship
The Japan Samurai U15 National Team secured their place in the finals of the 11th BFA Asian Under-15 Championship with a commanding 5-1 victory over the South Korean team in the Super Round. The match, held on August 25th at the Weihai Baseball Stadium in China, showcased the team’s exceptional performance and determination.
Heading into the match, the Japan team, with a perfect record of 2 wins in the Super Round, faced a crucial battle against South Korea, who had one win and one loss. It was a must-win game for Japan, as their previous match against South Korea was carried over from the opening round.
Seima Ikeda from Kumamoto Chuo Boys took the mound as the starting pitcher. In his previous outing against China, Ikeda delivered an impressive performance, keeping 11 batters hitless over 1/3 of the 3rd innings. In this crucial match against South Korea, Ikeda exhibited his pitching prowess once again, navigating through the innings to secure a victory.
In the bottom of the second inning, the Japan team’s batting lineup responded to Ikeda’s strong pitching. Aomi Fujita from Seki Medi Baseball Gakuin Pony and Shugo Murakumo from Kyoto Sagano Boys hit consecutive singles, followed by Ryunosuke Kanaya from Seki Sep Merlen Gakuin Baseball being hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Wataru Komine from Saga Field Nine then delivered a powerful hit down the right field line, turning it into a bases-clearing home run and securing a 4-point lead for Japan.
Despite a minor setback in the 3rd inning, where Ikeda allowed the first batter to reach base due to a teammate’s error, he quickly regained composure and minimized the damage. The game remained scoreless for a stretch as both Ikeda and South Korean starting pitcher Ha Hyun-sen showcased their skills on the mound.
However, in the 6th inning, Ohbo Ryuga from Tohoku Rakuten Little Senior managed to score a crucial extra point with a timely hit to left field. With a solid defensive performance from the entire team, including a remarkable catch by Ogi Yamato from Tohoku Rakuten Little Senior, Ikeda successfully completed 6 innings with 4 hits, 5 strikeouts, and only 1 run allowed. Yuma Ago from Kashihara Boys closed out the game in the final inning, securing a three-way retreat and a clean sweep of the Super Round matches for the Japan Samurai U15 National Team.
The Japan Samurai National Under-15 Team now stands just one win away from clinching their 4th consecutive title in the 3rd Asian Championship. Captain Ryoku Okayasu from Toyota Little Senior expressed his determination to give their best performance in the final match against Chinese Taipei on August 26th.
Commentary from Director/Manager Kazuyuki Imayama
“I feel relieved. Ikeda’s pitching was solid, and he executed our game plan perfectly. We aimed to take an early lead in today’s game, and Komine’s timely hit with the bases loaded was instrumental in achieving that. As we head into tomorrow’s final match, my focus will be on maintaining our winning momentum and securing an early victory.”
Interview with Seima Ikeda from Kumamoto Central Boys
“Coach Shodai Ito mentioned before the match that it could be a long game, so I’m glad I was able to showcase my endurance. Tomorrow’s final round is crucial, and I intend to give my all on the field. As a hitter, I aim to contribute to the team’s success by getting on base and maintaining a strong defensive presence.”
Wataru Komine from Field Saga Nine Shares his Thoughts
“I’m thrilled to have capitalized on the opportunity with two outs and delivered a crucial hit. The game remained tense with a strong pitching performance from the South Korean team, but our opening goal has given our team the momentum. I will do my best to contribute defensively and help secure the victory.”
11th BFA Asian U15 Championship Tournament Summary
Period: August 20 to August 26, 2023
Opening Round
- Sunday, August 20, 15:00 – Hong Kong 1-21 Japan
- August 21 (Mon), 19:00 – Japan vs. China (cancelled due to rain)
- Tuesday, August 22, 15:00 – Japan 15-0 Pakistan
- Wednesday, August 23, 19:00 – Japan 3-0 China
Super Round
- Thursday, August 24, 15:00 – Chinese Taipei 5-6 Japan
- Friday, August 25, 15:00 – Japan 5-1 Korea
Final
- Saturday, August 26, 19:00 – Japan 4-6 Chinese Taipei
Location: Weihai City, China
match report
August 25, 2023
On August 25th, the 2nd and final game of the Super Round of the “11th BFA Asian Under-15 Championship” (Weihai City, Shandong Province, China/until August 26th) was held at the main stadium of Weihai Baseball Stadium. 15 The National Team advanced to the final by defeating Korea Rep., who finished second in Group B, 5-1.
Japan Samurai U15 National Team, who had been leading the Super Round with 2 wins and 0 losses, may not advance to the finals if they lose against South Korea, who have 1 win and 1 loss, as the opening round match against the same group has been carried over It was an important battle where sexuality also came out.
Seima Ikeda (Kumamoto Chuo Boys) was on the starting mound. In the game against China, which he pitched last time, he threw 1/3 of the 3rd innings and kept 11 batters hitless. second innings, but cut off the following and survived without a run.
The batting lineup looking to respond to Ikeda’s good pitching in the bottom of the second inning, with two outs, Aomi Fujita (Seki Medi Baseball Gakuin Pony), Shugo Murakumo (Kyoto Sagano Boys) hit consecutively, and Ryunosuke Kanaya (Seki Sep Merlen Gakuin Baseball) Hit by a pitch to create an opportunity for the bases to be loaded. In this scene, Wataru Komine (Saga Field Nine) hit the right line and rolled from the fair zone to the wide foul zone, which Komine immediately survived. It became a bases loaded home run and immediately scored 4 points.
In the 3rd inning, Ikeda, who received the assist point, allowed the first batter to get on base due to an error by a teammate. A point is returned. However, after that, he held down calmly without getting upset and managed to get the least number of goals.
After that, Ikeda and South Korean starting pitcher Ha Hyun-sen pitched well, and both teams were unable to score for a period of time. , Ohbo Ryuga (Tohoku Rakuten Little Senior) scored a valuable extra point with a timely hit by Korean second baseman Lee Hyun-min to left field.
In the 6th inning, Yeom Jun-ganu hit a big fly ball that extended to the left center fence, but Ogi Yamato (Tohoku Rakuten Little Senior) caught it while running back, and the starting pitcher Ikeda helped him by defending solid threw 6 innings with 4 hits, 5 strikeouts and 1 run (0 earned runs). In the last inning, Yuma Ago (Kashihara Boys) went up to the mound, and the game ended with a three-way retreat. The Samurai Japan U15 National Team won all of the matches in the Super Round and progressed to the finals.
The Japan Samurai National Under-15 Team is one win away from winning their 4th consecutive win in the 3rd Asian Championship. Captain Ryoku Okayasu (Toyota Little Senior) also said, “This is the last game, so I want to win by doing the best of all of them so that I have no regrets.” Tomorrow the 26th will be a rematch with Chinese Taipei from 19:00 Japan time.
Director/Manager Commentary Player Kazuyuki Imayama
“Honestly, I’m relieved. (Ikeda’s pitching) didn’t have a big pinch, and I think Ikeda pitched the original. I thought today’s game was an early game, so even if in a couple of points, my idea was to catch him in the early stages. When I told Komine to aim right when the bases were loaded, I think it was good timing and he it led to a shot. (Tomorrow’s last game) I will get my head in order again. , just like today, I would like to win the game in the early stages.”
Seima Ikeda (Kumamoto Central Boys)
“Before the match, coach Shodai Ito told me that today’s match would be a long one, and I am glad that I was able to show my stamina, which is my specialty. (Final round tomorrow) I will play with all my strength, and as a hitter, I want to bring a good flow to the team by getting on the bases, and I want to play so that I can create an atmosphere without making any mistakes in defense .”
Wataru Komine (Field Saga Nine)
“I’m glad that everyone gave me a chance to connect from two outs, and I was able to narrow the curveball straight to one and drop in the middle. There was also an atmosphere where no points were scored, and the performance of Korea’s pitching the pitcher was also good, so it was a big opening goal. I think I can give the team momentum with defense, so I want to do my best to defend.”
11th BFA Asian U15 Championship
Meeting players summary
Tournament period
Between August 20 and August 26, 2023
opening round
Sunday, August 20 15:00 Hong Kong 1-21 Japan
August 21 (Mon) 19:00 Japan (cancelled due to rain) China
Tuesday, August 22 15:00 Japan 15-0 Pakistan
Wednesday, August 23 19:00 Japan 3-0 China
* Start time is Japan time (China: time difference -1 hour)
super round
Thursday, August 24 15:00 Chinese Taipei 5-6 Japan
Friday, August 25 15:00 Japan 5-1 Korea
* Start time is Japan time (China: time difference -1 hour)
End
Saturday, August 26 19:00 Japan 4-6 Chinese Taipei
* Start time is Japan time (China: time difference -1 hour)
location
China (Weihai City)
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