Although they surrendered the victory by giving up big innings in the 1st and 4th innings, it is definitely encouraging that they only allowed 1 run each in the 2nd and 3rd innings.
On the 10th (Korean time), the Korean women’s baseball team fought proudly against the US national team (ranked third in the world) in the second game of the ‘2024 Women’s Baseball World Cup (WBSC)’ qualifiers held at Baseball Central Stadium in Thunder Bay, Canada.
On this day, the national team threw their own ball and made their own swing without being intimidated by the American players who were one head taller than them. There were only two defensive errors. In the top of the third inning, he made a double play against the United States.
Hoseobi, who flings his body, appeared several times and succeeded in turning the atmosphere of a shock defeat to Hong Kong by one point by committing 6 mistakes the previous day.
The Korean women’s baseball team faced the United States and suffered a 5th cold game defeat, 0-14. But scores weren’t everything. With fast ball response training, he continued to cut American players’ fastballs in the 110-120 km/h range and increased the number of pitches for opponent selection.
It didn’t make a hit, but I had to hit a fast ball to make a ground ball and an outfield fly. The batting order turned twice, so while the national team hitters took a total of 18 at-bats, they struck out only six. In the meantime, he pulled out three hits. It was not a one-sided, lethargic defeat.
On this day, the United States was at its best. The United States, which featured Ashton Ransdel and Alex Hugo, who competed in the Home Run Derby X held in Korea last year, as the first and second batters, and Calcia Whitmore, who signed a contract with an American minor league team (Ferry Hooks) for the first time as a woman last year, 6 times. As a hitter and center fielder, Olivia Picardo, who is playing in the D1 league, the top level of colleges for the first time as a woman, took the mound as a finishing pitcher.
In the top of the first inning, the national team allowed Ashton Rensdel a heavy triple and Alex Hugo a left-handed hit to take the lead. She conceded an extra run due to a pitcher’s error while playing check, and only allowed 5 runs in the first inning with 3 hits and a hit ball.
However, in the 2nd and 3rd innings, the beast lake rain came out several times, and it was saved with 1 run. After the batting turn, Alex Hugo reached base with a double, and after taking advantage of a pitcher’s wild throw, Hugo settled on third base and scored on Martinez’ center fielder’s sacrifice fly.
However, first baseman Hae-Ri Kim got the first out in the top of the second inning with a line drive, and second baseman So-Yeon Park threw herself to catch the ball from Perez with the bases loaded in the second inning, putting all her efforts into blocking the extra run.
In the third inning, lake rain came from the outfield. In the top of the third inning, lead batter Benitez’s hit was dramatically caught by center fielder Noori Shin, throwing her body. Although Ransdel allowed a solo home run, the national team ended the inning with catcher Kim Ye-seo catching a foul ball and throwing it to first base, succeeding in the first double play of the tournament.
The team with momentum almost scored their first goal in the bottom of the third inning, but unfortunately bowed their heads. Leading batter Kim Ye-seo went on base with a walk, and Ahn Su-ji created a chance for 1 out 1st and 2nd base with a clean left-handed hit from 1 out 1 base. Joo Eun-jung stepped back with a grounder in front of the pitcher, but in the meantime, the runners moved one base at a time to become 2nd and 3rd base. However, Park Joo-ah struck out on a swing and failed to score.
The team had a chance to score in the bottom of the 3rd inning, but it was unfortunately canceled. Leading batter Kim Ye-seo went on base with a walk, and Ahn Su-ji created a chance for 1 out 1st and 2nd base with a clean left-handed hit from 1 out 1 base. Joo Eun-jung stepped back with a grounder in front of the pitcher, but in the meantime, the runners moved one base at a time to become 2nd and 3rd base. However, Park Joo-ah struck out on a swing and failed to score.
The national team allowed 4 runs in the top of the 4th inning and 3 runs in the top of the 5th, but Kwak Min-jeong, who made a relief mound with 1 out and 1st and 2꽁머니사이트nd base in the top of the 4th inning, gave up only 1 run in 1.1 innings and struck out 3.
In the bottom of the 5th inning, the national team’s attack ended scoreless, resulting in a 0-14 cold loss. However, the game performance exceeded expectations, and the players left the field with bright faces.
After the game, coach Yang Sang-moon of the national team said, “There is a clear difference in skill, but our players played without hesitation. Even though we couldn’t make it to the 7th inning and suffered a cold game loss in the middle, I still think the players did more than they could. Tomorrow (against Australia), we will face each other like today.”
On the other line, which scored three hits that day, Ahn Su-ji, Shin Nuri, and Kim Hae-ri each scored one. Ahn Su-ji smiled brightly, saying, “It is worthwhile to practice fast ball response.”
Starting pitcher Sayuri allowed 7 hits and allowed 6 runs in 1 inning. Kim Na-yeon, who came to the relief mound, allowed 5 runs (4 earned) in 2.1 innings, and Kwak Min-jeong allowed 1 run while striking out 3 in 1.1 innings. Lastly, Lee Yu-jin gave up 2 runs in 0.1 innings.
Kwak Min-jeong, who scored three strikeouts, said, “I focused on fastballs rather than breaking balls, but I was lucky to strike out. He smiled, saying, “I feel good, especially as he struck out against Lance Dell, who has homered in all his at-bats.”
The national team will play the third match against Australia at 12:30 am (Korean time) on the 11th. The starting pitcher against Australia is Choi Song-hee.