Australia gave it absolutely everything against the #1 ranked team in the world, but ultimately the Japanese had the final say, claiming a 4-3 win in the 11th inning.
After failing to push any runners across in two extra innings, Hisanori Yasuda broke Australian hearts with a game-winning RBI single to centrefield. Australia had their chances in their two offensive frames, leaving the bases loaded in both the 10th and 11th inning.
Australian U18 Manager Steve Fish remained upbeat after watching his team put out a gutsy performance against the best in the world.
“At the end of the day we failed to capitalise in a couple of key situations,” Fish said.
“Every one of the boys should hold their heads high today. We competed and matched it with the number one team in the world.”
Japan struck first in the opening inning, scoring a pair of runs with two out to put Australia on the back foot. Australia never looked overmatched against the world’s best as they consistently had runners on base, keeping the Japanese defence on their toes.
Despite giving up two runs in the opening frame, ACT’s Brodie Cooper-Vassalakis showed maturity beyond his years on the mound, as he consistently pounded the zone and letting his defence working behind him.
Australia knotted the ballgame at two in the fifth inning with RBIs from QLD’s Josh Bedggood and University of Maine commit Jordan Barnett.
Both bullpens were called upon throughout the middle innings, with Jake Green given the unenviable task of quelling a star-studded Japanese lineup. To his credit, Green put in a memorable performance, throwing four shutout innings to keep the ballgame within reach.
The ballgame was on a knife’s edge late, with both teams demonstrating some excellent baseball, however Japan had the final say to drop Australia’s Super Round record to 0-3.
Australia’s next game at the U18 World Cup will kick off at 1pm local (3am AEST) against Cuba.