Japan celebrate a 5-0 victory over South Korea at the Sapporo Dome ©Getty Images

Pitcher Shohei Otani was the star as hosts Japan swept aside arch-rivals South Korea 5-0 in the opening game of the Premier12 baseball tournament at the Sapporo Dome today, striking out 10 batters over six scoreless innings.

The 21-year-old right-hander, who plays for  Nippon Professional Baseball League side Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, struck out two in the second innings at his home ballpark before notching three consecutive strikeouts in the fifth after South Korea had runners at first and second with no outs.

By that point, the Japanese held the lead courtesy of two fortunate bounces, with the opening run coming when Ryosuke Hirata's hit caromed off the third base bag and trickled into foul territory, allowing Sho Nakata to scamper home.

Hayato Sakamoto then hit a sacrifice fly to double the lead. 

South Korea had chances to hit back, but missed out largely due to the pitching of Otani before Hirata delivered a single to the right to make it 3-0.

Shohei Otani was the star for Japan after pitching six scoreless innings ©Getty Images
Shohei Otani was the star for Japan after pitching six scoreless innings ©Getty Images

Sakamoto then touched reliever Jung Woo-ram for a solo home run in the bottom sixth to make it four.

The game was then put out of sight in the eighth innings, as Sakamoto hit a two-out single and came home for a 5-0 lead on a double by Tetsuto Yamada.

South Korea failed to capitalise on another bases-loaded chance in the ninth, before new pitcher Yuki Matsui retired three batters to preserve the shutout victory. 

It completed the perfect start for Japan at the inaugural World Baseball Softball Confederation-organised event, featuring the world's 12 top-ranked teams.

Action is due to continue tomorrow with The Netherlands against Taiwan before United States get their campaign underway against the Dominican Republic on Tuesday (November 10).

Group matches are also taking place in Taiwan before the semi-finals and finals take place at the Tokyo Dome, the proposed venue for the sport at the 2020 Olympics should it be added to the programme by the International Olympic Committee next year.



Related stories
October 2015: WBSC reveal prize pot for inaugural Premier12 event
October 2015: WBSC announce hosts of four major events in 2018 and 2019
October 2015: SBS awarded exclusive WBSC Premier12 broadcasting rights in South Korea
October 2015: Baseball to bring Under-15 World Cup to nuclear-hit Fukushima
September 2015: Five sports recommended for inclusion at Tokyo 2020 Olympics