Taiwan secures place in U-18 championships

Taiwan secured a place in the Super Round of the U-18 Asian Baseball Championship with a 16-1 victory over Singapore in the final preliminary-round game on Wednesday.

All nine members of Taiwan’s starting lineup recorded at least one hit at Taipei Tianmu Baseball Stadium as the hosts improved to 2-1 and advanced as the second-place team in Group B behind unbeaten South Korea.

After two innings, Taiwan led 3-1, before breaking the game open with eight runs in the third inning. Hu Chen-jui then sparked a five-run fourth with an inside-the-park home run, giving Taiwan a 15-run advantage and ending the game early under the tournament’s mercy rule.

Team Taiwan high-five during the Super Round against Singapore of the U-18 Asian Baseball Championship at Taipei Tianmu Baseball Stadium on Wednesday.

Photo: CNA

Hu went 2-for-2 with three runs and four RBIs, while his team finished with 14 hits and committed no errors.

Starting pitcher Cheng Pin-shen allowed one run on two hits in one inning. Tsai Cheng-lung struck out five over two hitless innings to earn the win, while Wu Hao-siang pitched a hitless fourth.

Taiwan manager Yang Hsiao-cheng said Cheng initially struggled to find his rhythm after going an extended period without appearing in a game.

Taiwan are to face the Philippines today before playing Japan tomorrow.

Yang said Wu Chieh-jui is scheduled to start against the Philippines, while the starter against Japan would depend on Liu Jen-yu’s recovery.

Taiwan, who won the previous edition in 2024, are seeking to claim consecutive titles for the first time and its fourth championship overall.