NEWS: Dominican team steamrolls Korea, setting up WBC semifinal clash with Team USA

The Dominican Republic national baseball team powered its way into the World Baseball Classic tournament’s Final Four on March 13, defeating the South Korea national team in convincing fashion to set up a highly anticipated semifinal showdown with Aaron Judge and the U.S.team on Sunday night.

The winner of that clash will advance to Tuesday’s WBC championship game.

Dominican sluggers Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Austin Wells led an explosive offensive attack that overwhelmed Korea’s pitching staff early and never let up in a 10-0 victory.

The Dominicans struck first in the first inning when Guerrero roped a run-scoring double into the gap, igniting a rally that put Korea on its heels. Two innings later, Wells delivered one of the game’s biggest blows, driving a towering home run deep into the seats that extended the Dominican lead and electrified the crowd.

From there, the Dominican lineup kept applying pressure with timely hits, aggressive base running as Phillies ace Christopher Sanchez hurled five shutout innings in an eight-strikeout performance. .

Meanwhile, the Dominican pitching staff kept Korea’s dangerous lineup largely in check, limiting scoring opportunities and shutting down several late threats.

With the victory, the Dominican Republic moves one step closer to another international title. Their next challenge against Team USA promises to be one of the most anticipated matchups of the tournament, with a berth in Tuesday’s World Baseball Classic championship game on the line.