Strong pitching, stellar defence propel Japan to 4-0 win over Guatemala

Hiroki Ikeda’s 10-strikeout performance and stellar defence powered Japan to a 4-0 victory against Guatemala in the second game of the day at the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group C at Devon Park - OGE Energy Field on Friday. With this result, Japan remain in the race for second place in the Opening Round standings.

In the bottom of the second inning, Japan jumped ahead on the scoreboard. Koki Sato walked, stole second base, and then scored on a clutch two-out single by Ryuji Okawa, giving Japan a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the fourth, Guatemala put two runners in scoring position with no outs, with back-to-back singles by Luis Pedro Villeda and Fabian Vizcaino. However, Ikeda escaped unscathed by striking out the side.

In the top of the fifth, Kaito Masaki blasted a solo home run, sending a 64 mph pitch from Jorge Segura over the left-field fence, extending Japan's lead to 2-0.

The final two runs of the game came in the bottom of the sixth, on a grounder and a bases-loaded walk.

Ikeda pitched a complete-game shutout, striking out 10 while allowing four hits and one walk, earning the win for Japan. For Guatemala, the loss was charged to Jorge Segura, who threw four innings, giving up two runs on three hits while striking out seven.

Guatemala finished the Opening Round with a 3-2 record and will await the outcome of the Japan vs. Colombia game, which will determine the final standings of the Opening Round.