Boyds Falls to Japan in World Championship Game

In a historic U.S. at the World Championship Game, the Boyds-based baseball team fell to Japan on Sunday, a 17-7 loss.

It was the first time since the tournament has been played in Maryland that the home state champion has played for the Cal Ripken World Series championship, Aberdeen Patch reported.

It is the second year in the row that Japan has won the world championship game, part of the 13th annual Cal Ripken World in Aberdeen, MD.  Here are a few higlights from the World Series organizers:

• Maryland's John Paul Walsh clubbed two home runs. Pitching: Walsh had a short outing, lasting only two-thirds of an inning on the mound for Maryland before being taken out.
• Japan defeated Maryland with 14 hits, including seven extra base hits.
• Japan scored seven runs in the sixth on an RBI single by Ryoki Nagai, a two-run home run by Takashi Nakayama, a three-run double by Koki Okada, and an RBI single by Hiroki Matsumoto. Matsumoto was also in control on the bump, giving up just one hit, allowing no earned runs, and striking out three during his two innings of work.
• Koki Okada had three extra-base hits for Japan throughout the game.
• Shunsuke Yano got the win in relief for Japan. Yano pitched two innings and allowed six runs.
• Japan got the win even though Nakayama didn't last long on the hill. Nakayama was pulled after just two innings, surrendering one hit and one run.

The flow of the game: The lead stayed with Japan after the first, when Japan scored six runs on three doubles and two singles. After pushing across four runs in the bottom of the fifth, Maryland faced just a 10-7 deficit against Japan. An RBI double by Marcus Brown and a three-run home run by Walsh sparked Maryland's rally. But, Matsumoto got Brendan Collins to end the inning, leaving Japan with their second World Championship victory in a row.

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Maryland, Japan Set For Cal Ripken World Series Final