Taiwan remain undefeated after beating the Czech Republic 4-1 on Monday to ease into the Super Round of the U-18 Baseball World Cup in Taichung.
Group B’s Japan, the US and the Netherlands secured their Super Round spots in the World Baseball Softball Confederation tournament, alongside Group A’s Taiwan and Puerto Rico, while South Korea yesterday picked up the last open slot with their 2-1 win over Mexico.
Taiwan were last night to play Puerto Rico, but the game, which would determine the top team of Group A, was postponed to today due to rain.
Photo: CNA
A victory over Puerto Rico would potentially set Taiwan up tomorrow to play either world No. 1 Japan or the US, who beat Taiwan for the 2019 championship title.
On Monday, Taiwan earned their fourth consecutive opening-round win at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium.
The hosts scored all four of their runs at the top of the second inning.
Ko Ching-hsien scored the first run, after pitcher Adrian Muck let Lin Li-en on first base on a balk while the bases were loaded, sending Ko home.
Lee Hsun-chieh then scored off an RBI single from Lin Shao-wei, which again loaded the bases, allowing Hsu Shao-yu to score off a wild pitch while Chiu Hsin was at bat.
Lin Li-en then scored off a sacrifice fly from Chang Chao-hung.
Taiwan held off the Czech Republic until the bottom of the seventh inning, with Michal Sindelka scoring their lone run, when, with bases loaded, Michal Pokorny was walked.
Today, the Czech Republic are to play Mexico and Puerto Rico are to face South Korea in games rescheduled from Friday last week.
The Super Round and Placement Round start tomorrow, while the championship game is scheduled for Sunday.
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