The New Zealand Junior Black Sox have come up short against a solid Japanese team 3-0 at the WBSC Junior World Softball Championship in Midland, USA.
Â
An ace performance by Japanese pitcher Reo Koyama secured Japan's spot in the final and an opportunity to win their second gold at this event, the first being in 1981.
Â
Koyama kept the kiwis off the scoreboard for all seven innings allowing no runs on two hits and striking out four. New Zealand’s Daniel Chapman lead the charge in the middle for the Juniors but was replaced in the fourth inning by Adam Woon.
Â
Japan took the lead in the second innings thanks to an RBI double by Yuki Imai. Japan added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth by a double from Taicairo Ikeda.
Â
New Zealand will now play the winner of the Canada v Argentina game tomorrow at 5:30am (NZ time).Â
Â
The Junior Black sox have guaranteed themselves a bronze medal but now have a lot to work to do if they are to make the final and win gold.
Â
Wayne Small, Junior Black Sox Manager
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â +14195436546
Cheers, Glen
Â
Â
Glen Roff -Â Softball Manager
Softball New Zealand
m:Â 021537082Â |Â p:Â 04 5600389
Softball.org.nz   Facebook   Twitter   Instagram  Pinterest
Â
New Zealand Black Sox World Champions: 76, 84, 96, 00, 04, 13
New Zealand White Sox World Champions: 82
New Zealand Junior Black Sox World Champions: 85, 89
Â