Late comeback gives Japan 7-4 win over Colombia, ticket to Super Round along with Panama

With the win, Japan finishes first in Group B and advances to the Super Round with a 1-0 record.

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<p>In a roller-coaster game, Japan completed a sweep of Group B with a 7-4 win over Colombia to advance to the Super Round of the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup. A bases-clearing double by Yamato Hanashima capped Japan’s comeback in the last inning.</p>

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<p>Japan took the early lead in the third inning when&nbsp;Kenta Hatakenaka scored the first run of the game on a fielder's choice.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Starter Kento Kohara tossed four no-hit innings, but was replaced by Hitaro Takahashi in the fifth. Colombia then took advantage of a series of defensive errors to score four in the fifth to take a 4-1 lead.</p>

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<p>In the sixth,&nbsp;Rui Yano hit an RBI single to make it a two run ballgame. Trailing 4-3 in the seventh, Hanashima hit a bases-loaded double to put Japan in front 6-3. He then scored the last run of the game.</p>

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<p>With the win, Japan finishes first in Group B and advances to the Super Round with a 1-0 record.</p>

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<p>Japan's win also secured a Super Round spot for Panama as the second-place finisher in Group B, while knocking Colombia into the 7th-13th Placement Round. </p>

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