Despite a six-run first inning and a pair of home runs from Mitch Edwards, Australia dropped their fourth game of the U23 World Cup 14-7 against Korea in Colombia overnight.
RBIs from Sam Kennelly and Robbie Glendinning started the scoring, but it was new Adelaide Bite recruit Mitch Edwards who capped off the inning with a three-run blast. Edwards completed the rare feat of hitting a homer both left-handed and right-handed.
3-run HOME RUN Mitch Edwards !!!!!!!!!
KOR 0-6 AUS 1st inning
LIVE: https://t.co/jtWlSHJhCv #U23WorldCup @teamausbaseball #kbo pic.twitter.com/qAi0DqJbY7
— WBSC ⚾ #U23WorldCup (@WBSC) October 22, 2018
Australia's six run lead was erased instantly, with Korea's offence igniting through a grand-slam from NC Dinos prospect Kim Chan-hyung.
Mitch Edwards gave his team a spark with his second long-ball of the day, but two late Korean homers off the bats of Kim and Han Dong-hui put the result beyond doubt.
Australian manager Tony Harris was candid after his team's loss.
"Mitch has worked hard, he did a really nice job today," Harris said.
"We were disappointed though with the way we let them back into the game straight away, especially after a really strong start."
Edwards finished with four RBI on the day for Australia, while his fellow Adelaide Bite teammate Aaron Whitefield went 3-for-5 in the leadoff spot.
Australia's final game in Group B is against Puerto Rico, with first pitch scheduled for 12pm AEDST tomorrow (23 October). This game will be broadcast LIVE and free via the Team Australia Facebook page.
3-run HOME RUN Mitch Edwards !!!!!!!!!
KOR 0-6 AUS 1st inning
LIVE: https://t.co/jtWlSHJhCv #U23WorldCup @teamausbaseball #kbo pic.twitter.com/qAi0DqJbY7
Australia's six run lead was erased instantly, with Korea's offence igniting through a grand-slam from NC Dinos prospect Kim Chan-hyung.
Mitch Edwards gave his team a spark with his second long-ball of the day, but two late Korean homers off the bats of Kim and Han Dong-hui put the result beyond doubt.
Australian manager Tony Harris was candid after his team's loss.
"Mitch has worked hard, he did a really nice job today," Harris said.
"We were disappointed though with the way we let them back into the game straight away, especially after a really strong start."
Edwards finished with four RBI on the day for Australia, while his fellow Adelaide Bite teammate Aaron Whitefield went 3-for-5 in the leadoff spot.
Australia's final game in Group B is against Puerto Rico, with first pitch scheduled for 12pm AEDST tomorrow (23 October). This game will be broadcast LIVE and free via the Team Australia Facebook page.