16U: Japan celebrates another Shutout against Indonesia

Japan beats Indonesia 10-0 in seven innings to open Day 4

Romo Chavez Stadium. Aguascalientes. August 22, 2011.

Japan celebrated its second shutout in as many days, defeating Indonesia 10-0 in seven innings. Daiki Asama (W, 1-0) and Daiki Tajima combined to hold the opposing offense to three hits. Japan on the other hand scored in six of the seven innings. With the victory Japan improves to 2-2 in Group B at the IBAF 16U Baseball World Championship. Indonesia is 1-3.

At the plate Japan wasn’t able to put up similar numbers like Venezuela or the Netherlands did against Indonesia, but hasn’t much trouble to score either. Starting pitcher Asama also headed the offense, going 3-for-4 with three RBI, helping his own cause. Shota Tatsuta collected two hits and two RBI. Yusuke Egashira and Yamamoto Nakajima crossed the plate twice.

On the mound Asama struck out a tournament-high nine batters in six innings. He allowed just three hits and a walk. Tajima closed it out, retiring the side in order in the seventh before the ten-run mercy rule ended the contest early. Ashila Safiya (L, 0-1) got charged with the loss, surrendering 13 hits, ten runs (7 ER) and four base on balls in 6 1/3 frames.

On the last day of the first round on Tuesday Japan is scheduled to face the Dominican Republic in the morning. In the afternoon Indonesia squares off with Cuba.

(From IBAF's website)