The <a href="https://www.world-today-news.com/four-ballparks-to-host-wbsc-premier12-group-b-super-round-and-finals-world-baseball-softball-confederation/" title="Four ballparks to host WBSC Premier12 Group B, Super Round and Finals – World Baseball Softball Confederation”>WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS Group B finished in Taipei on Monday, with the defending champions Japan and the group’s hosts, Chinese Taipei, booking their tickets to the Super Round in Tokyo. But, despite Korea falling short in their efforts to advance to the Super Round, the star that shone brighter was the young KBO sensation Doyeong Kim.
Kim put himself among the leaders in two key statistics categories, with three home runs just behind USA’s Ryan Ward, who hit four in Mexico. Also, Kim plated 10 teammates during the Opening Round, becoming the heart and soul of Korea’s offense.
Against Cuba, Kim unleashed his power with two home runs, five RBIs and 10 total bases.
In Japan’s lineup Shota Morishita was the hottest bat during the Opening Round. Morishita amazed a .571 batting average, collecting eight hits and four walks in five games, with six RBIs and 10 runs, taking advantage of being on base regularly during the round.
From the mound, Chinese Taipei’s ace Tzu-Peng Huang had probably the best performance in Group B. Working six innings against the Dominican Republic on a no-hitter effort that led him to take his only win during the round.
For the Group B hosts, reliever Chun-Wei Wu collected three saves despite conceding two earned runs in four innings of work. Taisei Ota, wearing Samurai Japan uniform, also had a top performance in this group, collecting two saves in two chances.
Japan and Chinese Taipei dominated the stage
Punching their Super Round tickets one day before the end of the Opening Round, the unbeaten Japan and Chinese Taipei, who only lost to Japan, dominated the pool proving they were the best teams in the group.
Pitching made the difference for both teams to advance to the Super Round. While Japan’s collective ERA was 2.80, Chinese Taipei was even better with 1.80. The rest of the teams struggled with high ERAs – Korea (4.81), Dominican Republic (5.02), Australia (5.14) and Cuba (5.14).
Japan was the best hitting team in Group B, with a .306 collecting average, that combined with a pretty good collective ERA explains pretty well why Samurai dominated the Opening Round.
Teamwork and discipline. their strong fundamentals and ability to remain composed under pressure distinguish them from the rest of the competition.
Guest 1: Coach Kang, congratulations on your team’s performance at the WBSC Premier12 2024. It’s clear that young Doyeong Kim has been a standout player for Korea. Can you tell us more about how his power and leadership have contributed to the team’s success so far?
Coach Kang: Thank you. Doyeong Kim has been an incredible addition to our team. His power at the plate is undeniable, but it’s his leadership quality that truly sets him apart. He’s only 22 years old, but he carries himself like a veteran and never backs down from a challenge. He always puts the team first and helps create a positive atmosphere in the dugout. His performance against Cuba was particularly impressive, where he showed off his ability to produce runs as well as protect his teammates. We’re fortunate to have him on our side, and I’m confident he’ll continue to shine in the upcoming games.
Guest 2: Absolutely. Shota Morishita had a remarkable batting average of .571 at the plate for Japan. Can you share some insights into how he was able to consistently get on base and contribute to his team’s success?
Coach Morishita: Shota’s success comes from a lot of hard work and dedication. He has an uncanny ability to wait for the right pitch and put the ball in play when it counts. He also understands the dynamics of the game very well, knowing when to be aggressive or patient at the plate. His quick hands and excellent reading skills allow him to make solid contact with the ball and hit it hard. Plus, he’s always willing to learn and adjust his approach based on feedback from coaches and teammates. It’s a privilege to have him as part of our team.
Guest 1: What do you think sets Japanese and Chinese Taipei apart from the other teams in Group B? Their dominance was evident in their performance.
Coach Kang: Both teams have solid pitching staffs and are excellent defensively. They capitalize on mistakes made by opponents and execute their game plans well. Japanese players have a knack for adapting to different situations, while Chinese Taipei players display great