Samurai Japan to take on Australia at Sapporo Dome on 9, 10 November
World No. 1 Japan will face No. 10 Australia on Wednesday, 9 and Thursday, 10 November, at the Sapporo Dome for friendlies representing the first international games for the Tokyo 2020 gold medallists.
The two games are part of the Samurai Japan Series 2022.
Japan opened their Fall at the Tokyo Dome with two games against Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) powerhouses.
On Saturday, 5 November, Samurai Japan defeated the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, 5-4.
On Sunday, 6 November, Japan won against the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants, 8-4
Manager Hideki Kuriyama said before the games that Japan would mostly focus on defence and pitching, but his team impressed with power, combining six home runs.
NPB home run leader and triple-crown winner Munetaka Murakami, one of the seven Olympic champions on the roster, hit a home run in both games. Tetsuto Yamada, also part of the Tokyo 2020 gold medal team, went deep too. Tomoya Mori, Shugo Maki and Tomoya Mori, Shugo Maki also homered.
Kuriyama told the local press that he considers the two games against Australia an important test for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Australia and Japan will compete in Group B of the IV World Baseball Classic from 9 to 13 March 2023 at the Tokyo Dome. They will face No. 3 Korea, No. 14 Czech Republic and No. 21 China.
Most of the Australian National Team is getting ready for the 2022-23 Australian Baseball League season, which opens right after the end of the Samurai Japan Series.
Right-handed pitcher Cameron Gibbens, shortstop Jarryd Dale, first baseman Rixom Wingrove and outfielder Solomon Maguire will make their debut for the National Team after competing at the minor league level in the United States.