OKINAWA, Japan – Gio Rojas threw a complete game shutout as Team USA beat Korea, 1-0, in a crucial Super Round matchup at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup on Friday night at Nishizaki Stadium.

With the win, the U.S. (6-1, 3-1) punches its ticket to the World Championship Game, where it will take on host Japan on Sunday.

Rojas allowed just two hits in his complete game shutout, striking out 10 batters and walking just two. Only one player reached scoring position in the game for Korea (5-2, 2-2); Jiho Park tripled with two outs in the third, giving Korea its only real threat of the night, but Rojas left him stranded with a big strikeout. The lefty put it in cruise control from there, working around a two-out walk in the fifth but not allowing another hit until the seventh. Korea’s Jisoek Kim singled up the middle with two outs in the final frame to put the tying run on base, but Rojas struck out Geonhwi Kim to put the game in the books.

While Rojas shoved, the U.S. offense rallied for the game’s only run in the third inning. Aiden Ruiz singled to begin the inning and knock starter Taeyang Lee out of the game, and Coleman Borthwick greeted new arm Joel Kim with a first-pitch single to put two runners on. CJ Sampson followed that with a single of his own through the left side, bringing Ruiz home to score the only tally of the contest.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The U.S. put a pair of runners on in the bottom of the first on a Grady Emerson walk and a single by Borthwick, but Lee coaxed an inning-ending fly out to keep the game knotted at zero.
• Rojas worked around a leadoff walk in the second–one of only four batters to reach base against him–picking off a runner to bring the inning to an end.
• Team USA had another prime scoring chance in the second when Will Brick doubled and Jaden Jackson reached on an error to put runners on the corners with one out. But Lee danced around trouble again to keep it scoreless, getting Emerson to ground into an inning-ending fielder’s choice.
• After Rojas recorded two outs on four pitches in the third, Park went the other way for a triple to left field before being stranded on third base when Rojas notched an inning-ending punch out.
• Singles by Ruiz and Borthwick brought Sampson to the plate with two on in the third, and the U.S. cleanup hitter delivered, punching a single through the left side to score the game’s only run.
• Borthwick and Jackson picked up two-out singles in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively, as the stars and stripes looked to add on. But both frames ended without another run being scored, sending the contest to the seventh at 1-0.
• Kim shot a single up the middle to bring the go-ahead run to the dish with two outs in the seventh, but Rojas hunkered down and struck out his 10th and final batter to finish his complete game shutout.

NOTABLES

• Rojas’ complete game shutout was the first seven-inning complete game shutout for the 18U National Team since 2019, when Ben Hernandez shut out Canada at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup.
• In two World Cup starts, Rojas is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA. He has pitched 11 innings and allowed just five hits and three walks, striking out 13 batters.
• Team USA’s starting pitchers have allowed just one earned run in 34 innings pitched through seven World Cup games, good for a 0.20 ERA. Overall, U.S. pitchers own a tournament-best 0.74 ERA.
• Borthwick went 3-for-3 in Friday’s win, raising his tournament average to .304.
• Brick’s second-inning double was his third of the World Cup, putting him in a tie for the lead in two-baggers.
• The United States will appear in its 17th World Championship Game on Sunday vs. Japan. The U.S. is looking for its 11th title, which would tie Cuba for the most all-time at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup.
• Team USA improves its record vs. Korea to 16-10 at the U-18 level.

QUOTABLES

“We came out with the right energy, especially bouncing back from the previous night. I think we had something to prove today. I came out and I did what I do best, and I tried to perform for my team. I had a lot of confidence on the mound, especially with my team behind me.” - Gio Rojas

ON DECK

Team USA wraps up Super Round play against Puerto Rico on Saturday afternoon before the gold medal game on Sunday. First pitch of the Super Round finale is set for 2:30 p.m. JST/1:30 a.m. ET from Okinawa Cellular Stadium. Watch live on Gametime.sport.