Taiwan’s under-16 team beat Australia in their second warm-up game in the 2009 International Baseball Federation World Youth Championship in Taichung yesterday, following up on the local team’s victory over the US on Tuesday.
Although the Taiwanese players’ offensive ability went from good to better, head coach Huang Wu-hsiung remained worried that they did not look so confident when confronted with a left-handed pitcher.
Huang said the Taiwanese players scored mostly infield hits when facing a left-handed pitcher, only scoring long hits when the pitcher was a right-hander.
PHOTO: LIN CHENG-KUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
The coach nonetheless praised his team for taking the offensive whenever they had the chance.
Taiwan beat Australia 14-2, ending the match early in seven innings. However, six of Taiwan’s 14 hits were infield hits. Third batter’s Cheng Chia-ming’s triple was preceded by four infield hits.
Just as they struggled with US left-hander Cory Geisler on Tuesday, the Taiwanese players couldn’t shake off their fear of left-handed pitchers when facing Australia. But Huang chose to look on the bright side, saying that the Taiwanese should thank the Australian left-handers for giving them some much-needed practice before formal matches start on Saturday.
Huang said that when Australia meet Taiwan again on Tuesday in the formal contest, he expected the Aussies to use their left-handed pitchers to try to exploit Taiwan’s weakness.
Speaking at the US-Cuba match yesterday afternoon, US head coach George Sanchez praised the Taiwanese team, especially the pitchers, and said he still had not decided what strategy his team would follow against Taiwan.
Formal matches will start at Taiwan’s Intercontinental Stadium on Saturday and run through Aug. 23.
Jemimah Rodrigues on Thursday hit an unbeaten 127 as India pulled off a record chase of 339 against Australia to set up a Women’s World Cup final against South Africa. Rodrigues and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who hit 89, put on 167 runs for the third wicket as India won with nine balls and five wickets to spare at DY Patil Stadium, on the outskirts of Mumbai. The hosts finished on a total of 341-5 in reply to Australia’s impressive 338 and ensured there would be a new name on the 50-over trophy tomorrow. Amanjot Kaur hit the winning boundary to trigger wild celebrations
Jannik Sinner on Thursday eased past Francisco Cerundolo 7-5, 6-1 at the Paris Masters to set up a quarter-final clash with Ben Shelton, while reigning champion Alexander Zverev earned a straight-sets win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round. A maiden crown in the French capital would return Sinner to No. 1 in the world rankings after current incumbent Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock early exit at the hands of Britain’s Cameron Norrie. The Italian four-time Grand Slam champion is yet to drop a set in the tournament as he hones in on what would be a fifth title of the
‘BLOWN AWAY’: With 12 strikeouts and no walks, Yesavage broke the World Series record of 11 strikeouts set by the Brooklyn Dodgers’ Don Newcombe in 1949 Trey Yesavage on Wednesday night soaked in Dodger Stadium, filled with 52,175 fans about to watch him pitch in the MLB World Series, and thought back to starting his season in front of 327 spectators in the low minor leagues. A sandlot story worthy of a movie studio back lot. “Crazy world,” the wide-eyed Toronto Blue Jays pitcher said. “Hollywood couldn’t have made it this good.” Just 46 days after rocketing to his fifth level of professional baseball this season for his major league debut, Yesavage pitched one of the best games by a rookie in World Series history. He set a Fall Classic
Yesterday morning in Japan began with a palpable buzz after the Los Angeles Dodgers announced Shohei Ohtani would start Game 7 of the World Series. By the time countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered the final out, Tokyo was erupting with joy. “I am so proud today to be Japanese,” said cab driver Seiichiro Okada, who pulled his car to the side of the road to watch the ending. “To be able to watch these legends in real time is something else.” Ohtani had two hits and also pitched, while Yamamoto earned World Series Most Valuable Player after yet another stellar pitching performance as the
RSS