Taiwan loses to US in U18 Baseball World Cup

台灣在U18世界盃輸給美國

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan went hitless against the US, falling 0-4 in the U18 Baseball World Cup in Okinawa, Japan, on Saturday.

Starting pitcher Liu Ren-you (劉任右) struggled early, giving up two runs over three innings. Despite reaching 150 kph with his fastball, a career high, he was unable to contain a deep US lineup, per CNA.

Liu ran into trouble with one out in the bottom of the third inning. He allowed singles to Grady Emerson and Aiden Ruiz, resulting in a run on a fielder’s choice. He then gave up another run on an infield single by Giovanni Rojas.

Liu exited after allowing three hits, two walks, three strikeouts, and two earned runs. Reliever Wang Yi-xiang (王奕翔) took over in the fourth inning but struggled as well, issuing three walks to load the bases before striking out three to escape without giving up a run.

In the fifth, He Hua (何樺) entered and gave up an unearned run on a double following an error. Lin Chun-shi (林珺希) pitched the sixth inning, allowing another unearned run.

The main storyline of the game was Taiwan’s inability to break through against US starter Carson Boren. Hsu Shu-cheng (許書誠) reached base in the third inning but did not advance. Jiang Ting-yi (江庭毅) walked in the fifth and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt, but Taiwan again failed to deliver a timely hit.

Boren threw five innings, striking out 11 and allowing no runs, securing the US its second consecutive win. With the loss, Taiwan fell to 1-1 and will face Panama on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. (Taiwan time).