Japan, Korea, Puerto Rico, USA, Chinese Taipei, and Panama have qualified for the Super Round of the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025 presented by RAXUS, after intense group-stage action.
Group A Results
Japan (World No. 1) advanced with a perfect record, closing the group stage with a 3-0 shutout win over Puerto Rico. The game saw Japan take advantage of defensive miscues, with Shintaro Sakamoto’s two-out bunt sparking the scoring. Japan later added two more runs via errors and wild pitches. On the mound, Raito Okumura and Saku Hayase kept Puerto Rico scoreless.
Despite the loss, Puerto Rico (World No. 7) also advanced, securing a spot in the Super Round alongside Korea (World No. 4), who defeated Cuba 3-0. Korea’s runs came early due to defensive errors and smart base running. Pitcher Joel Kim delivered a dominant performance, striking out 10 over 5.1 innings while allowing just one hit and one walk.
Korea will complete a previously suspended game against South Africa on Wednesday, September 10, which they were leading 13-0 before weather halted play.
Related News
Group B Results
USA (World No. 3) swept their group and capped off an undefeated run with an 11-1 win over Australia. The Americans jumped ahead in the second inning due to a series of walks, hit batters, and errors, later sealing the game via the run-rule with a seven-run sixth inning. Coleman Borthwick and Brody Crane held the Australians to minimal offense.
Chinese Taipei (World No. 2) clinched second place after a hard-fought 8-4 extra-innings win over Germany. Despite trailing three times and weather delays, Chinese Taipei rallied with timely hits and capitalized on German errors. The turning point came in the top of the eighth, when a bunt and an errant throw allowed two runs to score. Shu-Cheng Hsu and Sheng-En Zeng led the late offense, while Chun-Hsi Lin closed out the game under pressure.
Panama (World No. 9) secured the final Super Round spot from Group B, finishing in a three-way tie with Australia and Germany, but advancing thanks to a superior Team Quality Balance (TQB). Their key win came in a 12-5 victory over China, where Panama jumped out to a 7-0 lead early and never looked back. Carlos Castillo’s two-RBI triple highlighted a three-run first inning, and José Serva earned the win on the mound.
Other Results
-
Italy edged South Africa 5-4, surviving a late push. Italy built a lead early, scoring on hits and errors. South Africa clawed back with runs in the middle innings and had the tying run on third in the final frame, but Federico Magalotti sealed the win with a clutch strikeout.
Qualified for the Super Round:
-
Japan (1)
-
Chinese Taipei (2)
-
USA (3)
-
Korea (4)
-
Puerto Rico (7)
-
Panama (9)
These six teams now move on to the Super Round, bringing with them their results from head-to-head matchups in the group stage. The next phase promises more high-level action as the world’s best U-18 baseball teams battle for a spot in the finals.
