OSAKA, Japan -- After winning its first two games of the 2015 World Baseball Softball Confederation U18 Baseball World Cup, Australia lost its first game of the tournament to host nation and the No. 1-ranked team in the world Japan by a 10-1 final score.
The game was a close battle until the late innings. Japan took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, getting on the board on a bases-loaded walk. Strong pitching on both sides kept the score that way for most of the game. Japan's Shinnosuke Ogasawara allowed three hits and one unearned run while striking out nine batters over six innings, while Victorian Max Barrett put up a similar line, surrendering one run on one hit over five innings, walking five and striking out three batters.
Japan took a 5-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning on a series of walks and a two-run single by Shoki Tsuda. Australia got one run back in the bottom of the same frame when James McCallum drove home Nate Vankan on an RBI groundout.
However, Japan put a five-spot on the board in the top of the ninth inning to pull further ahead late in the game. The Aussie side loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning but was not able to score, making the final a 10-1 win for Japan.
With the loss, Australia is now 2-1 in the tournament, while Japan remains undefeated.
Australia will take on No. 2 USA tomorrow afternoon at 4:30pm AEST. Though the game will not be live streamed, it can be followed via live scoring.