Taiwan Wins Premier12 Opener Against South Korea with Two Homeruns
In a thrilling start to the 2024 WBSC Premier12 tournament, Taiwan’s national baseball team secured a 6-3 victory over South Korea at the Taipei Dome on Wednesday. Two key homeruns, including a grand slam by outfielder Chen Chen-wei (陳晨威), propelled Chinese Taipei to an early and commanding lead, giving them an impressive opening win in the Group B match.
Chen Chen-wei’s Grand Slam Powers Taiwan’s Early Lead
The game, which marked the opening of the WBSC Premier12 tournament, saw Taiwan jump to a 6-0 lead by the end of the second inning. The explosive offense was spearheaded by Chen Chen-wei‘s grand slam and a two-run homer from center fielder Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲).
- Chen Chen-wei’s Grand Slam: With the bases loaded, Chen’s powerful swing sent the ball over the outfield fence, sending all runners home and electrifying the nearly sold-out crowd at the Taipei Dome.
- Chen Chieh-hsien’s Two-Run Shot: In the same inning, Chen Chieh-hsien added to the offensive onslaught with a two-run homer, putting Taiwan firmly in control early in the game.
Despite not adding any more runs after the second inning, Taiwan’s early offensive outburst was more than enough to secure the victory.
Lin Yu-min Shines on the Mound for Taiwan
On the mound, Taiwan’s ace starter Lin Yu-min (林昱珉), a rising star with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, played a pivotal role in the win. Lin, who reached AAA status in 2024, pitched a dominant game, allowing just three hits in his outing. Taiwan’s bullpen, consisting of five relievers, also kept South Korea’s hitters in check throughout the game.
- Kim Do-yeong‘s RBI double and Park Dong-won‘s RBI single in the fourth inning temporarily reduced Taiwan’s lead to 6-2.
- Na Seung-yeup hit a solo homer in the seventh inning, narrowing the gap to 6-3. However, the score would remain unchanged as Taiwan’s defense and pitching staff held strong.
Manager Tseng Hao-ju’s Praise for the Team’s Confidence
At the post-game press conference, Team Taiwan manager Tseng Hao-ju (曾豪駒) commended his players for their confidence and composure during the game, despite being underdogs against the highly favored South Korean team. South Korea, the reigning Premier12 silver medalists (2019) and gold medalists (2015), has long been a dominant force in international baseball.
- Tseng noted that Taiwan’s victory was a complete team effort, acknowledging the support of the near-capacity crowd of 40,000 spectators who cheered their team to victory at the Taipei Dome.
Taiwan’s Strong Start in Group B
The victory over South Korea sets the stage for Taiwan’s next game against the Dominican Republic on Thursday at the Taipei Dome. Taiwan’s impressive win also puts them in a strong position as they compete in the Group B stage of the 2024 WBSC Premier12 championship.
In other action on Wednesday, defending champions Japan defeated Australia 9-3 in Nagoya, and the Dominican Republic triumphed over Cuba with a 6-1 victory at Tianmu Stadium in Taipei.
Premier12 Tournament Format and Road to the Super Round
The 2024 WBSC Premier12 is the third edition of the tournament, featuring the 12 highest-ranked national teams in the world. The competition follows a round-robin format with the top two teams from Group A and Group B advancing to the Super Round in Japan. The teams that finish first and second in the Super Round will compete for the gold medal, while the third and fourth-place teams will play for the bronze.
- Group A consists of: Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico, the United States, and Venezuela.
- Group B consists of: Taiwan (Chinese Taipei), South Korea, Japan, the Dominican Republic, Australia, and Cuba.
Key Game Statistics and Highlights
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Final Score | Taiwan 6, South Korea 3 |
| Key Players | Chen Chen-wei (Grand Slam), Chen Chieh-hsien (2-run Homer) |
| Hits (Taiwan) | 8 hits |
| Hits (South Korea) | 3 hits |
| Starting Pitcher (Taiwan) | Lin Yu-min (AAA Arizona Diamondbacks) |
| Game Location | Taipei Dome, Taiwan |
| Next Opponent | Taiwan vs. Dominican Republic (Thursday) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What was the final score of the Taiwan vs. South Korea game?
The final score was 6-3 in favor of Taiwan.
2. Who hit the grand slam for Taiwan?
Chen Chen-wei hit the grand slam for Taiwan during the second inning.
3. Who was Taiwan’s starting pitcher?
Taiwan’s starting pitcher was Lin Yu-min, a rising star in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.
4. When does Taiwan play next?
Taiwan will face the Dominican Republic on Thursday at the Taipei Dome.
5. How many teams are competing in the WBSC Premier12?
There are 12 teams competing in the 2024 WBSC Premier12 tournament.
