(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Japan U-18 Team Falls to University Side in World Cup Warm-Up
September 1, 2025
With the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025 presented by RAXUS just days away, Japan’s U-18 National Team faced their first send-off game at Okinawa Cellular Stadium Naha on Sunday. Defending champions Samurai Japan were defeated 8-1 by the Japan University National Team in a match that tested the young squad’s skills and resilience.
Despite trailing, the U-18 players showed promise, out-hitting the university team through six innings. Kaito Fujimori delivered the team’s only RBI, while Yota Abe and Fujimori contributed two hits each. Strong pitching from Kensin Shimoshige, Daito Nakano, and middle relievers Shota Morishita, Ryusa Tsuji, and Saku Hayase kept Japan in the game until the seventh inning, when the university team scored four decisive runs.
Manager Masayoshi Ogura highlighted positives, praising the team’s effort and growth in batting technique, while emphasizing the need for better control and composure in high-pressure situations.
Japan’s U-18 squad will continue preparations with a practice session at Okinawa Cellular Stadium on Monday, followed by a second send-off match against Okinawa Prefectural High School, Koshien champions, on Tuesday.
The WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup runs from September 5 to 14, with Japan aiming to defend their title on home soil.
