S. Korea routs US for WBSC Premier 12 title

South Korea's improbable run to the WBSC Premier 12 tournament final concluded with a championship Saturday night local time in Tokyo.

One day after upsetting undefeated Japan, South Korea beat the U.S., 8-0, to win the gold medal in the inaugural tournament.

South Korea finished the tournament with a 6-2 record, while the U.S. was 5-3.

Japan beat Mexico, 11-1, in the bronze-medal game.

Byung Ho Park hit a three-run homer as part of a five-run fourth inning to all but clinch the gold medal. Hyun-soo Kim led the South Korean attack by going 3-for-5 with three RBIs, and he also earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors. Keunwoo Jeong also went 3-for-5 and drove in a run.

South Korea starter Kwang-hyun Kim fanned five over five shutout innings, while four South Korean relievers combined to hold the U.S. to just three baserunners over the final four innings

Marlins farmhand Elliot Soto was the lone American to post a multihit game, while Zack Segovia allowed two runs in two innings to take the loss.