‘SEOUL CLOSE’ – Australia drops final game to Korea

‘SEOUL CLOSE’ – Australia drops final game to Korea

Hard Fought World Cup campaign see Aussies place 6th.

Korea 5 def. Australia 2

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TAIPEI, NOV 18 – The Australian Baseball team managed their best ever finish in World Cup history despite a hard fought loss to Korea on the final day of competition in Taipei.

Save for one big inning, the Australians matched Korea every step of the way and were painfully close to yet another comeback victory when the winning run came to the plate in the bottom of the 9^th inning.

With two outs and the bases loaded, Michael Collins lifted a fly ball that initially looked destined for the outfield bleachers before it was caught by Korean left fielder, Na Ji Wan.

Despite the loss, the Australian’s will leave Taipei with their heads held high, boasting a win-loss record of 10-4 during their three-week tenure in Taiwan.

Head Coach Jon Deeble continued to sing his praises for his side, regardless of the disappointing result on Sunday.

“These guys have played the game as hard as it possibly can be played and have done themselves and their country very proud,” Deeble said.

“In every country that has beaten us, baseball is regarded as the number one sport, so for Australia to finish sixth in the World is truly a remarkable achievement.”

Adding to the positive results for Australia was centerfielder, Trent Oeltjen, who won the tournament batting title and was named in the starting outfield on the All-World team.

Oeltjen’s team-mate, Tom Brice, was eager to praise his fellow outfielder who amassed a staggering 23 hits in ten World Cup games.

“I wish there was an award for every guy on this team, but Trent certainly deserves to be acknowledged after the way he has played,” Brice said.

Oeltjen, who added two more hits to his near record tally against Korea, scored the first run of the game after reaching safely and stealing both second and third bases before Australia had recorded an out.

He was driven promptly in by Victorian Justin Huber, and when shortstop Brad Harman scored one batter later, it looked as though the Australians might make short work of Korea on Sunday afternoon.

But the Koreans, who are renowned for excellent pitching, quickly settled into their rhythm and managed to shut out the Aussies the rest of the way.

On defence Australia kept the game equally tight with starting pitcher Greg Wiltshire allowing no runs and just three Korean hits through the first five innings.

Wiltshire, who is a diesel mechanic by trade and the only Australian pitcher on the team not affiliated with a professional club, has been simply amazing on debut for his country, leading the team in innings pitched and tying for the team lead in strikeouts.

Jon Deeble was quick to point out just how well Wiltshire had performed during the tournament.

“He can throw four different pitches for strikes, has incredible command of his fastball and won’t give an inch to anyone,” Deeble said.

“There’s no doubt he pitched as well as anybody on this team.”

However, despite Wiltshire’s best efforts, Korea were just a little better in key situations than Australia in key situations.

Trailing by a run in the top half of the sixth inning, Korea did major damage by way of a three-run triple off the bat of shortstop, Son Si Hyun that staked the Asian powerhouses a 4-2 advantage.

After another run in the eighth set the difference at three, the Aussies drew on their trademark ‘Mangy Dog’ spirit one final time, sending six men to the plate in their last turn at bat, clearly refusing to hand Korea the victory on a platter.

But when Collins skied out to left to end the game, the only solace the Aussies could muster was that no Australian team had ever made a better showing at World Cup level.

After spending the day in Taipei on Monday the side will fly to Fukuoka where they are scheduled to meet the Japanese Olympic team in two exhibition games later this week.

While they are officially classed as “Friendlies”, the Aussies will be keen to put up a good showing in Fukuoka to partly avenge the disappointing loss to Japan in the World Cup Quarter Final.

Be sure to log on to www.baseball.com.au for all the latest news from Japan and a full World Cup wrap.