Shota Onodera’s masterpiece sends Japan into the Super Round

The right hander tossed a complete-game shutout against Venezuela to secure the Asian team’s fourth win of the tournament.

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<p>Shota Onodera tossed 106 pitches in a complete-game effort to give Japan a <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-u-23-mens-softball-world-cup/schedule-and-results/box-score/109229" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="2-0 (opens in a new tab)">2-0</a></span></strong> win against Venezuela that secured a Super Round spot for the Asian champions. Japan scored one in the second inning and one in the sixth.</p>

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<p>Onodera recorded his second complete-game of the tournament, a two-hit masterpiece with 10 strikeouts and three walks with no runs alllowed.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Japan used three singles in the first inning to score the first run of the game. Ryuji Okawa drove in Yoshinari Matsumoto to put the score 1-0.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Venezuela had a great scoring oportunity in the sixth inning, whe they loaded the bases on two walks and a fielder’s choice. But Onodera escaped by striking out Davinson Guevara to hold the one-run lead.</p>

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<p>In the bottom of the sixth, Japan scored an insurance run on a line-drive double to the right field fence, to plate Ayumu Nishimori, who was standing at first base after a walk.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>With the win, Japan improved their record to 4-0 and secured a spot in the Super Round. Venezuela evened again their record at 2-2, and tomorrow will close the Opening Round against Team WBSC.</p>

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