[Photo] Kikuchi fires dominant outing

On the 7th at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) group stage Group C game between Korea and Japan was held.

Korea started submarine Ko Young-pyo, and Japan started left-hander Kikuchi Yusei. Korea, which reached the semifinals in 2006 and finished runner-up in 2009 at the WBC, has since failed to get through the first round in three straight tournaments (2013, 2017, 2023). In this tournament, the team is aiming to return to the quarterfinal knockout stage. On the 5th in the opener against the Czech Republic, the team got off to a good start with a big 11-4 win.

Bottom of the first, Japan's Kikuchi Yusei pitches powerfully. Mar. 7, 2026

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