Japan allowed its first runs of the tournament but remained unbeaten through four games played with two wins today on Day 4 of the International Softball Federation’s (ISF) VII Jr. Men’s World Championship (19-and-under), being played in Summerside, Prince Edward Island (Canada).

Coming off a big win over the host country last night, Japan had to come right back this morning with the first game of the day. The scheduling quirk didn’t affect them however, as they hung a 15-2 decision on the Czech Republic.

Japan came right out of the gate, scoring six times in the top of the first inning, and added another tally in the top of the second and took their 7-0 lead into the bottom of the third inning, when the Czech Republic finally got on the board with what would be their only two runs of the game.

Japan scored three more in the top of the fourth and five more in the top of the fifth and after the Czechs came up empty in their half of the fifth, the game ended due to the run-ahead rule (if a team is winning by 20 runs after three innings, 15 after four, or seven after five, the game is considered complete).

Aiden Cocker pitched a one-hit shutout as New Zealand downed Denmark, 5-0, in other action at Queen Elizabeth Park's VIV Field in Summerside.

New Zealand's win didn't come without a scare as Denmark kept it close and played solid defensively, but just couldn't catch a break. The youthful Danes kept the Kiwis off the scoresheet for the second, third, fourth, sixth innings, but gave up two runs in the first and three in the fifth.

New Zealand managed just five hits in the game against Frederik Terkelsen.

For New Zealand, Cocker went the distance, walking one and fanning 14 batters. At the plate, first basemen Isaac Fletcher (2-for-3, two RBI, triple), Daniel Lamb-Hunt (1-for-3, two runs scored, stolen base), and Rongo Rapaea (1-for-2, run scored) were tops.

Terkelsen was the lone Denmark batter to get a hit, while also picking up a stolen base.

Terkelsen, whose brother Valdemar is also on the Denmark team, went six innings, allowing five runs on five hits, walking two and striking out six.

The win improves New Zealand to 4-0 and tied for first overall with idle Australia in the championship standings.

The U.S. got down early but used a big game from three key players en route to an 8-1, five-inning win over Argentina.

The crowd of about 750 fans saw Argentina score the first run of the game when Federico Eder came around and crossed the plate on an illegal pitch after reaching base on a double. But that would be all the runs the Eduardo and Francisco Sabate-coached team would manage against a stingy American defense.

The U.S. would strike back with eight runs in the third inning, led by leadoff hitter Jason Loe (3-for-4, double, three RBI), Kevin Castillo (2-for-3, home run, run scored, two RBI), and designated hitter Camden Decker (2-for-2, triple, two runs scored, two RBI), and Andy Matthews (1-for-3, run scored).

For Argentina, Eder (1-for-2, run scored, double), Francisco Perez Regoli (1-for-2) and Emiliano Anea Tristan (1-for-2) led the offense.

Winning pitcher John Kelly went four and two third innings, allowing one run on three hits, walking two and striking out one.

Losing pitcher Mauricio Boss went two and two third innings, allowing four runs on three hits, and striking out three. Nelson Ruiz Diaz went one and two third innings, giving up four runs on three hits, walking two and fanning three. Max Montero went two third innings walking two and striking out one.

Coach Kelly McGiffin was looking for Brad Fogal to break out of his hitting slump. And he did that in fine style Monday night, slamming back-to-back home runs as Canada dumped the Czech Republic, 9-3.

Fogal went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBI as Canada bounced back from a 3-0 loss to Japan on Sunday night to improve their record to 3-2 (won-lost).

Also leading the Canadian squad was Mathieu Roy (2-for-4, run scored, double), catcher Bryan Abrey (2-5, triple, two RBI, run scored), Justin Gill (2-for-5, two RBI, two runs scored, double), Jonathan Kane (1-for-1, two RBI, home run, run scored), and Bobby Sill (1-for-3).

For the Czech Republic, Tomas Benda (2-for-3), Michal Pyszko (1-for-4, RBI), Jan Pospisil (1-for-2, run scored), and Jiri Nezbeda (1-for-4) led the way.

Winning pitcher Jordan MacDonald went four innings, allowing three runs on five hits, walking one and striking out three. Kane went three innings in relief, retiring four batters by strikeout, walking three and allowing two hits.

Losing pitcher Jaroslav Muller went five innings, allowing six runs on nine hits, walking three and fanning seven. Stepan Eret went two innings, giving up two hits, three runs, and two walks, and struck out four.

In the final game of the night, it appeared that Mexico had solved the undefeated Japanese. However, in the end, Team Japan rallied thanks to a pair of sixth inning, solo home runs by Takuto Tsutsui, his second of the game, and Norihiko Aoyama, to down Mexico, 4-3.

Mexico trailed, 2-1, after four innings, but rallied with single runs in the fifth and sixth thanks to blasts from Gustavo Benitez (2-for-4) and Jesus Barrera (3-for-4, two runs scored).

Also leading Japan was Tsutsui (3-for-3, three RBI, two runs scored), Aoyama (1-for-2, run scored), Shigeru Higashi (1-for-3), and Masayuki Shimoto (1-for-3).

For Mexico, Ruben Delgadillo (2-for-4), Jorge Avila (2-for-3, RBI), Paul Alvarez (1-for-3, stolen base) and Daniel Machena (1-for-4) did the damage.

Winning pitcher Hisatsugu Hamaguchi went two innings, allowing one run on four hits, and striking out one in relief of starter Hikaru Matsuda, who’d pitched five strong innings, allowing two runs on six hits, walking one and fanning three.

Losing pitcher Delgadillo went an inning, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out one. Starter Sergio de la Rosa went five innings, giving up two runs on three hits, walking three and striking out two.

The win moves Japan to 4-0 and tied with Australia and New Zealand for first while dropping Mexico to 2-3 and in a must-win situation over their remaining three games at the championship.

(Pat Healey contributed to this report.)

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