Taiwan advance to Super Round after Germany win

Staff writer, with CNA, NAHA, Japan

Taiwan on Tuesday advanced to the Super Round at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Naha, Japan, after winning a dramatic extra-inning tiebreaker over Germany.

Taiwan’s Pasula Takislinian scored in the top of the first inning at Nishizaki Stadium in Itoman City, Okinawa, but Germany answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Despite Taiwan’s efforts to even the score, Germany held the lead until Hsu Shu-cheng scored a run and tied the game at 4-4 in the sixth inning thanks to teammate Li Kai-qi’s single to center field.

Photo: CNA

Both sides failed to score in the seventh inning and the game went into a tiebreaker in accordance with the WBSC’s rules for events at the U18 level and below.

In the top of the eighth inning, Hsu bunted and Germany pitcher Finn Niemeyer’s error allowed Taiwan’s runners on first and second base — Jiang Ting-yi and Chang Yi-an — to score.

Hsu, who made it to third base on the error, scored on Zeng Sheng-en’s single through the left side. Zeng scored after a bunt by Takislinian resulted in an error by Niemeyer’s replacement, Pepe Stockhaus.

Photo: CNA

Taiwan pitcher Lin Chun-hsi allowed no runs after being called up at the bottom of the seventh inning.

Taiwan’s win improved their standing in the Super Round after they lost only one game in the Opening Round, beaten by the US, who concluded the group stage undefeated after crushing Australia 11-1 on Tuesday.

Panama were the third team from Group B to advance.

In Group A yesterday, South Korea and South Africa resumed their game that was suspended due to rain, with South Korea winning 17-0 at Okinawa Cellular Stadium in Naha.

South Korea, ranked No. 4 in the world, made the Super Round along with world No. 1 Japan and No. 7 Puerto Rico.

Taiwan, No. 2 in the world, face South Korea today at Nishizaki Stadium, and Puerto Rico on Friday and Japan on Saturday at Okinawa Cellular Stadium.

The six teams in the Super Round are vying for spots in either the championship game or the bronze-medal game on Sunday.