◆WBC First Round Group C: Japan 4-3 Australia (March 8, Tokyo Dome)

Samurai Japan catcher Kenya Wakatsuki (30) of Orix Buffaloes started as the ninth batter and catcher in the third game of the WBC first round against Australia on the 8th. He helped the team win three straight games and advance to the first round in first place, including by pitching four runs innings by starting pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (36).

However, he regretted the scene in the sixth inning when he allowed the first run with a disappointing bad throw. With one out and a runner on second base, he tried to stop Whitefield from stealing third base, but throw went way off course toward the gap between third and shortstop, allowing the runner to score. After the game, he reflected, "I'm sorry for throwing a wild pitch. I tried to get in line, so it ended up being a half-hearted effort."

The team took the lead in the seventh inning with a two-run homer by Masataka Yoshida (Red Sox). Regarding Yoshida, who was his teammate at Orix Buffaloes, Wakatsuki said, "He's a really reliable senior player, and he's covered for my mistakes many times. I feel a sense of security knowing he's on my side. From the next game (quarterfinals) onwards, it will be a do-or-die situation, so I want to stay focused and do my best."