Taiwan’s U-12 baseball team secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Japan in the super round of the 2024 U-12 Asian Baseball Championship on Thursday, propelling them to the championship final. The thrilling encounter, held in Tainan, was a masterclass in pitching, with Taiwan’s starting pitcher, Chou Jen-chuan (周震泉), leading the team to victory with a stunning performance on the mound.
Chou Jen-chuan’s Dominant Performance
Chou Jen-chuan, Taiwan’s ace, took center stage with an outstanding performance that shut down Japan’s offense. Over the course of six innings, Chou allowed just one hit and two walks, while recording a remarkable 10 strikeouts. His 88-pitch outing kept Japan at bay, as neither team was able to score in the first six innings.
In what turned out to be a nail-biting game, the scoreless tie after six innings led to an extension under the tiebreaker rule, setting the stage for the dramatic conclusion.
Taiwan’s Breakthrough in the Seventh Inning
As the game moved into the seventh inning, Taiwan found their breakthrough. With the bases loaded, Su Yu-shiang (蘇宇翔) executed a perfect sacrifice bunt, advancing the runners to second and third. Taiwan’s Lin Wei-yen (林暐諺) then delivered the game’s only run, hitting an infield single that allowed the runner to cross home plate.
This crucial moment in the top of the seventh inning put Taiwan ahead 1-0, and despite Japan’s best efforts in the bottom half of the inning, Taiwan’s defense stood strong.
Sung Yi-le’s Relief Pitching Seals the Victory
After Taiwan’s offensive breakthrough, relief pitcher Sung Yi-le (松以勒) took over in the bottom of the seventh. With one strikeout and solid fielding, Sung effectively shut down Japan’s offense, securing the 1-0 win and ensuring Taiwan’s second victory in the super round.
The game was a testament to the skill and composure of Taiwan’s young team, with exceptional pitching from both Chou and Sung, combined with the timely clutch hitting by Lin in the seventh.
Taiwan’s Road to the Championship Final
With this win, Taiwan has booked their spot in the U-12 Asian Baseball Championship final, where they will face South Korea on Friday. This victory also guarantees Taiwan’s qualification for the 2025 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup in Tainan, a prestigious international event.
On Wednesday, Taiwan demonstrated their strength by clinching an impressive 16-0 victory over China, further solidifying their position as one of the tournament’s top contenders.
Key Match Stats
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Final Score | Taiwan 1 – 0 Japan |
| Top Pitcher (Taiwan) | Chou Jen-chuan: 6 innings, 1 hit, 2 walks, 10 strikeouts |
| Relief Pitcher (Taiwan) | Sung Yi-le: 1 strikeout, secured win |
| Winning Run | Lin Wei-yen: Infield single in the 7th inning |
| Key Play | Su Yu-shiang‘s sacrifice bunt to advance runners |
| Opponent | Japan |
| Next Game | Championship Final: Taiwan vs South Korea |
| Guaranteed Spot | 2025 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup in Tainan |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How did Taiwan manage to beat Japan in the U-12 Asian Baseball Championship?
Taiwan won 1-0 after a dominant pitching performance by Chou Jen-chuan, who pitched six scoreless innings. Taiwan scored the only run in the seventh inning, with Lin Wei-yen hitting an infield single after a sacrifice bunt by Su Yu-shiang advanced the runners.
Q2: What was the performance of Taiwan’s pitchers in the game?
Chou Jen-chuan pitched six innings, allowing just one hit and recording 10 strikeouts. Relief pitcher Sung Yi-le closed out the game in the seventh, securing the win with solid defense and one strikeout.
Q3: When will Taiwan play in the championship final?
Taiwan will face South Korea in the U-12 Asian Baseball Championship final on Friday.
Q4: What does this win mean for Taiwan’s baseball team?
This victory not only secured Taiwan’s place in the championship final but also earned them a spot in the 2025 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup, which will be held in Tainan.
Q5: How did Taiwan perform in the super round prior to this game?
Before beating Japan, Taiwan defeated China 16-0 in the super round, showcasing their dominance in the tournament.
