III Premier12 | South Korea defeated Cuba 2-0 in the initial friendly match ahead of the Premier12 world tournament

On Friday, South Korea defeated Cuba 2-0 in the initial of two friendly matches before the Premier12 World Cup commences later this month in Guadalajara, Mexico, and Taipei City, Taiwan. The game was held at the crowded Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, with 15,783 spectators in attendance at the 16,000-seat stadium.

During the first inning, South Korea gained the lead as Kim Do-yeong hit a high fly ball towards shallow right field with runners on first and third. Despite second baseman Yadil Mujica's attempt to catch the ball, he missed, allowing Hong Chang-ki to score from third base.

In the second inning, South Korea extended their lead when Lee Ju-hyoung hit an RBI single. Song Sung-mun had walked with one out against pitcher Yoennis Yera, then stole second base to put himself in a position to score. Lee, who plays with Song on the Kiwoom Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization, drove him in.

South Korean pitcher Gwak Been started the game and delivered two scoreless innings, striking out two batters and conceding only one hit. Additionally, seven relievers each pitched an inning without allowing any runs, giving up just two hits, and collectively recording six strikeouts.

Right-hander Gwak Been started for South Korea. (Photo by Yonhap News)

Cuba had two opportunities to score. In the second inning, they had two runners on base with no outs, but Gwak prevented them from scoring by retiring the following two batters, which included a double play on Roberto Baldoquin's groundball to third base.

Later in the fifth inning, Lázaro Armenteros singled, advanced to second on a groundball, and stole third base. Nevertheless, the threat came to an end as Andrys Pérez and Yadil Mujica both struck out.

Both nations are part of Group B, which also includes Japan, Australia, the Dominican Republic, and Chinese Taipei, the host nation for the initial stage taking place from Nov. 13 to 18.

Teams that finish in the top two positions in Groups A and B will progress to the Super Round, scheduled to take place in Tokyo from November 21 to 24.

South Korea won the inaugural Premier12 tournament in 2015, while finishing as runners-up to Japan in 2019. Cuba placed sixth in the 2015 tournament and dropped to 10th position in 2019.

Nov 1, 2024	R	H	E
CUBA	0	3	0
COREA DEL SUR	2	8	0
W: Gwak Been
L: Yoennis Yera

Cuba will face South Korea again in Seoul this Saturday at 2:00 pm (local time), 1:00 am (Cuba and Eastern US time) and left-hander Darío Sarduy has been announced to work for Cuba.

Yoelquis Guibert, CF: 0-for-4

Yoán Moncada, 3B: 0-for-3

Erisbel Arruebarruena, SS: 0-for-3

Alfredo Despaigne, BD: 0-for-3

Rafael Viñales, RF: 1-for-3

Lázaro Armenteros, LF: 1-for-2

Roberto Baldoquín, 1B: 0-for-2

Andrys Pérez, C: 0-for-3

Yadil Mujica, 2B: 1-for-2

Christian Rodríguez, 3B-SS: 0-for-1

Guillermo Avilés, 1B: 0-for-1

Jean Harvi Walters, 2B: 0-for-1

Luis Vicente Mateo, 3B: 0-for-1