Japan Tops Pool C at World Baseball Classic 2023

Defending champions advance to quarterfinals despite quiet night from star Shohei Ohtani

Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:20am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game in motion, with overlapping planes of bright red, blue, and yellow shapes representing the dynamic action on the field.The World Baseball Classic's thrilling quarterfinal matchups will test the resilience and teamwork of the world's top baseball squads.Today in Miami

The World Baseball Classic 2023 has delivered high drama, with Japan securing a quarterfinal berth by topping Pool C despite a rare off-night from superstar Shohei Ohtani. The team's gritty performance, led by Masataka Yoshida's clutch two-run homer, showcased Japan's collective strength beyond just one player. Meanwhile, Australia's competitive spirit shone through, pushing Japan and keeping their own quarterfinal hopes alive.

Why it matters

The World Baseball Classic is a premier international baseball tournament that showcases the global reach and talent of the sport. Japan's continued success, even when their biggest star struggles, highlights the depth of their team and the unpredictability that makes baseball so captivating. Australia's performance also demonstrates the growing competitiveness of baseball outside of traditional powerhouses, expanding the sport's worldwide appeal.

The details

In their match against Australia, Japan overcame Ohtani's hitless night with a strong team effort. Masataka Yoshida's go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning proved to be the difference, as Japan held on to secure the victory. Despite issuing 12 walks, Australia managed to take a brief lead with an unearned run, underscoring the delicate balance and unpredictability of baseball.

  • On April 9, 2023, Japan defeated Australia 4-3 in their World Baseball Classic Pool C matchup.
  • Earlier on the same day, Taiwan defeated South Korea 3-2 in a 10-inning thriller, impacting the overall tournament standings.

The players

Shohei Ohtani

A Japanese professional baseball player who plays as a pitcher and outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels in Major League Baseball. Ohtani is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world.

Masataka Yoshida

A Japanese professional baseball player who plays as an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball. Yoshida hit the go-ahead two-run homer that proved to be the difference in Japan's victory over Australia.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

With their quarterfinal spot secured, Japan now sets its sights on Miami, where they will face the winner of another quarterfinal matchup. The true test for Japan will be how they perform in the knockout rounds, especially if they face other baseball powerhouses.

The takeaway

Japan's resilient team performance, even without a dominant showing from Shohei Ohtani, showcases the depth and collective strength of the defending champions. Meanwhile, Australia's competitive spirit and the overall unpredictability of the World Baseball Classic highlight the growing global appeal of the sport.