Hanshin Tigers catcher Fushimi Torai of Japan's professional baseball league said after a practice game against the World Baseball Classic (WBC) Korean national team, "I was surprised by the Korean national team's concentration; they were very aggressive."
Korea and Hanshin played to a 3-3 draw in a practice game held at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, Japan, on the 2nd.
Korea constructed a starting lineup of third baseman Kim Do-young - left fielder Jemaine Jones - right fielder Lee Jung-hoo - shortstop Shay Whitcomb - third baseman Moon Bo-gyeong - designated hitter An Hyun-min - second baseman Kim Hye-seong - catcher Park Dong-won - center fielder Park Hae-min. Kwak Bin took the mound as the starter.
Hanshin, starting Saiki Hiroto as the pitcher, set the batting order as second baseman Nakano Takumu - shortstop Cam DeBaynie - center fielder Chikamoto Koji - designated hitter Oyama Yusuke - first baseman Maegawa Ukyo - left fielder Nakagawa Hayato - third baseman Takatera Nozomu - right fielder Onodera Dan - catcher Fushimi Torai.
After the game, Fushimi said, "From the first inning, seeing Saiki's fastball hit right away gave the impression that they were very aggressive and have excellent contact ability."
He, who scored with a hit in the second inning, said, "I think I made good use of the chance. I actively stepped into the box to get a hit. Because the preceding batter hit well, I came to the plate with the feeling that I had to continue that." He added, "I knew Korean pitchers throw very fast, and I think I focused to avoid being outpowered and hit well."
Hanshin will play against the Japan national team on the 3rd. Fushimi said, "Personally, I have never played in an international tournament. I was very nervous playing against the Korean national team today. I thought about how much more nervous I would have been if this were the WBC main tournament as I approached the game."
He added, "I don't know what the right answer is for tomorrow, but I think we should play our baseball diligently. I hope we have a good game against the Japan national team tomorrow."
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