Shohei Ohtani & Roki Sasaki Lead Japan With Dominating WBC Performance

Japan has become the first team to clinch a spot in the quarter-finals at the World Baseball Classic, with another dominating performance in a 10-2 victory over the Czech Republic earlier today in Tokyo. 

The team was led by pitching phenom Roki Sasaki, who topped the 100 mph mark an astounding 21 times, and, of course, Shohei Ohtani.

Sho Time! Shohei Ohtani with an RBI double to make it 6-1 Japan! The ball came off the bat at 118 mph 🤯

📺: FS1 and the FOX Sports App pic.twitter.com/tABnJOeweJ

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 11, 2023

Ohtani registered an incredible exit velocity of 118 mph in ripping an RBI double. 

The 21-year-old Sasaki is known for nearly throwing back-to-back perfect games in Nippon Professional Baseball, struck out eight batters in 3.2 innings, and allowed no earned runs in Japan's victory. His sizzling fastball topped out at 101.9 mph.

What a WBC debut for Roki Sasaki 👏

8 strikeouts in 3.2 IP 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wtj1idih2x

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 11, 2023

Ohtani is now batting .500 in the tournament through three games, as well as pitching four shutout innings and striking out five in Japan's opener.

Japan had earlier beaten Korea 13-4, and routed China 8-1  and advance out of Pool B with a 3-0 mark.