Related Report
October 3, 2023
Japan’s Samurai Amateur Representatives Suffer a Narrow Defeat Against Host Country China
In the highly anticipated final match of the second stage of the 19th Asian Games, Japan’s Samurai Amateur Representatives went head-to-head with the formidable Chinese team. This match brought back memories of their clash at the Tokyo Dome during the World Baseball Classic (WBC) earlier this year.
The game took place in Shaoxing City, where the sunny afternoon sky transitioned into a slightly humid night, accompanied by the heat of the passionate spectators. The match kicked off at 18:30 local time (19:30 Japan time) in a stadium with larger stands than the previous games.
The game was marked by intense competition and a nail-biting chase until the very end. Left-handed pitcher Shunya Morita (Honda Suzuka) took the mound for Japan, delivering a solid performance against China. In the first inning, Morita found himself in a tight spot with hits from the first and second batters, but managed to escape with an infield grounder and two outs.
However, in the second inning, China seized an opportunity with an infield hit, two walks, and a well-placed hit by Liang Pei, their leadoff hitter. This gave China a one-run lead. Morita controlled the damage and prevented any further scoring. In the third inning, he retired all three center fielders, putting a halt to China’s momentum.
Japan had their chances to catch up in the game. In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Japan’s No. 8 batter, Kiminami Ryo (Nippon Express) secured his first hit for the team, but unfortunately, a double play followed. In the fourth inning, an error by the Chinese defense and a hit by pitch presented another opportunity for Japan, but a second double play thwarted their scoring hopes. Wang Xiang, who also faced Japan in the WBC, effectively shut down the Japanese batters until the fifth inning.
In the bottom of the 7th inning, Japan’s No. 3 batter, Shoji Kitamura (Toyota Motor Corporation), managed to draw a walk, granting Japan their first baserunner of the inning. Two consecutive walks loaded the bases with two outs. However, China’s No. 3 hitter, 41-year-old Su Changlong, came through with a clutch pitch, preventing Japan from equalizing the score.
After the second inning, both teams struggled to add runs to the scoreboard, leading the game into the final innings. In the bottom of the 9th inning, Kitamura once again reached base with a walk, reigniting hopes of a comeback. Tatsuhiko Sato (Honda) followed with a hit to left field, fueling anticipation of a potential tie or walk-off victory. Unfortunately, a strikeout and a groundout by Kohei Sasagawa (Tokyo Gas) turned into Japan’s third double play, resulting in a 0-1 loss. Japan was limited to only two hits by five Chinese pitchers.
Reflecting on the game, manager Akio Ishii praised the Chinese pitchers, stating, “The Chinese pitchers displayed remarkable skill. Our batters made valiant efforts, but they couldn’t connect with the ball. It’s disappointing, but credit is due to our opponents. They remained focused and had an exceptional pitching staff.”
Starting pitcher Shunya Morita expressed his thoughts, saying, “We gave up unnecessary walks, which ultimately allowed the opposing team to score. However, today’s game provided valuable insights into my pitching, and I intend to utilize them in the upcoming Grand Round.”
Interestingly, the player who struck the winning hit for China, Liang Pei, graduated from Tokai University’s Sugao High School. Liang Pei also hit a home run against Japan in the WBC. When asked about his success, Liang Pei revealed, “We anticipated a fastball from the skilled Japanese pitchers and discussed our strategy accordingly.” Another Chinese player, Riku Kan, had also attended Kotohira High School and Yokkaichi University.
With two wins and one loss, the Japanese Samurai Amateur Representatives concluded the second stage in 2nd place in Group A. They will have a break on the 4th and proceed to the Super Round match against South Korea on the 5th at 13:00 local time (12:00 Japan time) at Stadium 1.
19th Asian Games
Overview of the Players Conference
Tournament Period: October 1 to October 7, 2023
Second Stage (Group A)
- October 1st (Sunday) 13:00 – Philippines 0 vs. Japan 6
- October 2nd (Monday) 19:30 – Japan 18 vs. Laos 0
- October 3rd (Tuesday) 19:30 – Japan 0 vs. China 1
* All times are in Japan time (China: time difference of -1 hour)
Super Round
October 5th – October 6th
3rd Place Deciding Game/Final
Saturday, October 7th
Location: Hangzhou, China
Participating Countries and Regions:
- Japan
- South Korea
- Chinese Taipei
- China
- Philippines
- Hong Kong
- Thailand
- Singapore
- Laos
Corresponding report
October 3, 2023
Japan’s Samurai Amateur Representatives, who entered the final match of the second stage of the 19th Asian Games with two consecutive victories, will face host country China. The players who faced off against Japan’s best Samurai team at the Tokyo Dome in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March this year will be there.
Shaoxing City also had sunny skies in the afternoon on this day. At night, the stadium was full of slightly humid air and the heat of the spectators. The night game started at 18:30 (19:30 Japan time) in the first stadium, which had larger stands than the previous two games.
They allowed the lead and the chase continued to the end.
Left-handed pitcher Shunya Morita (Honda Suzuka) was entrusted to start the game against China. In the first inning, he allowed hits to the first and second batters, but got out of the pinch with an infield grounder and two outs.
However, in the second inning, an infield hit and two walks led to a pinch with one out and the bases loaded, and No. 1 hitter Liang Pei a timely hit past Sanyuma. China took the lead with one point. Morita stopped the following players and prevented extra points, and in the third inning, he retired all three center fielders. This stopped a trend that seemed to be leaning towards China.
In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Japan was chasing No. 8 Kiminami Ryo (Nippon Express), who hit his first hit for the team, but followed it up with a double play. They created a chance in the fourth inning due to an error by the opponent and a hit by a pitch, but the team’s second double play prevented them from scoring. Wang Xiang, who also started in the WBC game against Japan, completely shut down the Japanese batting line until the fifth inning.
In the bottom of the 7th inning, Japan’s No. 3 Shoji Kitamura (Toyota Motor Corporation) chose to walk, allowing the first batter of the inning to reach base for the first time that day. After that, two walks led to two outs and loaded the bases, but China’s No. 3 hitter, 41-year-old Su Changlong, hit an old pitch.
After the second inning, neither team scored and the game went to the final innings. In the bottom of the 9th inning, Kitamura was the first batter and reached base again with a walk. No. 4 Tatsuhiko Sato (Honda) followed with a hit to left field, raising hopes of a draw and walk off. However, a strikeout and third grounder by No. 6 Kohei Sasagawa (Tokyo Gas) turned into the team’s third double play, tying the game. Japan was limited to two hits by five Chinese pitchers and lost 0-1.
“China’s pitchers were great”
After the game, manager Akio Ishii said, “The main thing is that the Chinese pitchers did a good job. The batsmen had tried hard to hit the ball, but they couldn’t catch it. It’s disappointing, but I want to praise my opponent. They were very focused and a great pitcher and the Chinese pitching staff praised .
Starting pitcher Shunya Morita (Honda Suzuka) said, “I think we gave up unnecessary walks, which led to the runs we conceded. I was able to get an idea of how I pitched today, so I’ll use that in the Grand Round.”
The first batsman to hit the winning shot was from Japan.
Among the five hitters in the Chinese batting lineup, No. 1 Liang Pei, who had two hits including the game-winning hit, graduated from Tokai University’s Sugao High School. He also hit a home run against WBC Japan. Regarding the two hits, Liang Pei said, “I thought a fastball would come from a good Japanese pitcher, so we all discussed and decided to prepare as soon as possible.” that day, No. 7 Riku Kan also played at Kotohira High School and Yokkaichi University.
Japanese Samurai Amateur Rep finished the second period with 2 wins and 1 loss, finishing in 2nd place in Group A. There is no match on the 4th, and the next match will be the Super Round match against South Korea on the 5th for 13:00 (12:00 local time) at Stadium 1.
19th Asian Games
Overview of the Players Conference
Tournament period
October 1 to October 7, 2023
Second stage (Group A)
October 1st (Sunday) 13:00 Philippines 0 – 6 Japan
October 2 (Monday) 19:30 Japan 18-0 Laos
October 3rd (Tuesday) 19:30 Japan 0 – 1 China
* Start time is Japan time (China: time difference -1 hour)
super round
October 5th – October 6th
3rd place deciding game/final
Saturday, October 7th
location
Hangzhou, China)
Participating countries and regions
Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, China, Philippines,
Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Laos
#Losing #China #shutout #score #finished #qualifying #wins #loss #progressed #Super #2nd #place #Group #Adults #Game #report
