Wang Hsiang-lan’s pinch-hit single with a runner on second scored the game-winner as the National Taiwan Sports University at Taoyuan overcame a three-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth with four unanswered runs to top the National Taiwan Sports University at Taichung 7-6 for the title.
“I kept telling myself I could do it as I waited in the on-deck circle, and I am glad I actually did,” said senior team captain Wang, who had been taken out of the title match’s starting lineup because of a recent slump.
The clash between the two Division-I National Taiwan Sports Universities took place at a wet Taipei Municipal Baseball Stadium in Tianmu with a turnout of faithful fans from both campuses cheering their teams toward the holy grail of Taiwan’s college baseball.
PHOTO: LIU HSIN-DE, TAIPEI TIMES
The Taichung squad held a seemingly safe 6-3 lead heading into the bottom of the final frame before its Taoyuan counterpart strung together four unanswered runs for the thrilling come-from-behind victory.
Wang might have been the hero of the game, but he could not have done it if it had not been for Taoyuan’s Wang Jung-jeh, whose sharp grounder through the left side of the Taichung infield with the bases loaded scored the tying runs earlier in the inning.
Picking up the win for Taoyuan was reliever Su Tseh-min, who entered with two outs in the eighth and pitched one-and-a-third innings to beat Huang Shih-chan of Taichung.
Taichung starter Lai Bo-kai had held the Taoyuan bats to three runs on five hits through the eighth, only to see things falter in the final frame.
Taoyuan’s win capped a three-month long journey that saw it breeze through the preliminaries against Technology and Science Institute of Northern Taiwan, the Taipei Physical Education College and Shih Hsin University with a perfect 3-0 record in the C Bracket in December to advance to the 10-team second round last week.
It blew past Leader University, Wu-Feng Institute of Technology, Kainan University and the Chinese Culture University unblemished out of Group A for the right to face Group B’s National Taiwan Sports University at Taichung for the title.
Rounding out the top six in this year’s competition are third-place finisher Chinese Culture, which beat Taipei Physical Education (fourth place) 3-1 earlier on Saturday and Leader University, which trounced Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science (sixth place) 8-2 on Friday for a school-best fifth-place finish.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely