Taiwan has secured a slot in the Super Round of the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico after outscoring Czechia 7-2 to take its group record to 2-0 on Sunday (Mexico time).
Competing under the name “Chinese Taipei,” Taiwan got down to business from the start, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning to take an early lead, while Czechia answered back with one in the bottom.
Czechia recorded one more run in the second inning, making it a one-run ball game, before Taiwan took control of the game.
However, it was not until the top of the seventh inning that Taiwan secured the game with four more runs, including three that followed after a costly defensive error.
Unable to catch up in the bottom of the seventh, Czechia ended up losing the game to Taiwan, which moved up to two wins to remain tied in first place with Cuba in their four-team group.
Taiwan thus qualified for the next stage, the Super Round, as it is guaranteed to finish in the top two in its group.
The win was credited to Taiwan relief pitcher Huang Tien-szu (???) who tossed 5.1 innings, giving up three hits, one run, and two walks. The loss went to Filip Nemec of Czechia, who allowed three hits, three runs, and four walks in two innings.
Taiwan, which also defeated tournament hosts Mexico 2-1 on Saturday, will next face Cuba on Wednesday.
A total of 13 participating teams placed in three groups, are competing in Hermosillo, Mexico. The top two teams of each group, after round-robin games, will advance to the super round after Aug. 31, while the other seven national teams will compete for placement.
The biennial WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2018, Taiwan finished third, behind the United States and Panama.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel
