Host Japan continued to shine Tuesday at the Pony Asia-Pacific Zone Championships in Okinawa, as the team picked up three wins, including an impressive 6-4 victory over Korea in the day's opening game. At a perfect 4-0 record, the Japanese solidified their spot in Thursday's knockout round. Also, after a slow start Monday, Australia picked up two wins to their credit Tuesday.
Game #5: Japan 6 Korea 4 F/6
Notes: Japan broke open the scoring in the top of the first inning, when Kaida scored on a wild pitch from third base, and Nakahodo and Asahi scored on Tokunaga's single to center field, giving the hosts an early three-run lead. Korea battled back to make it a two-run game by the bottom of the fifth inning, but the team's last ditch effort in the top of the sixth, when they recorded two hits, fell short.
Game #6: Japan 16 Thailand 1 F/4
Notes: Leading 6-0 after two complete, the Japanese took control of the game's momentum in the bottom of the third, when they went on a nine-run rally that included three-run home runs by Kitazato and Sugiya. Defensively, Kitazato retired the first nine-consecutive batters he faced on the mound. Thailand's lead off hitter Soshi recorded the team's first hit and scored its only run in the top of the fourth inning.
Game #7: Australia 11 India 3 F/6
Notes: It was a tie game (3-3) going into the bottom of the fourth inning, when Australia took a lead that it would not surrender. The Australians added six runs in the bottom of the fifth to break the game open.
Game #8: Australia 15 Thailand 5 F/5
Notes: The bottom of the fourth inning proved to be Australia's time to shine, once again, this time against Thailand. Trailing 5-3, Australia scored seven runs and then added on five in the bottom of the fifth to 10-run its opponent.
Game #9: Japan 19 India 0 F/4
Notes: Japan's Asahi and Agarie combined to pitch a four-inning no-hitter against India, as a 15-run top of the first inning allowed the hosts to win convincingly.
Wednesday's matchups:
Game #10: India (0-3) vs. Korea (0-2)
Game #11: India vs. Chinese Taipei (2-0)
Game #12: Australia (2-2) vs. Korea
Game #13: Chinese Taipei vs. Japan (4-0)