Li Kai Wei does it again, Chinese Taipei beats Dominican Republic

Li Kai Wei did it again. After being the hero of the final game of group play against Colombia, the second baseman hit another bases clearing double in the first of the super round. Chinese Taipei beat, 3-1, the Dominican Republic and is still in contention for a spot in the finals of the U-23 Baseball World Cup.

Li Kai Wei clears the bases in the top of the tenth

When Li Kai Wei stepped to the plate in the top of the tenth, Chinese Taipei had almost wasted the opportunity offered by the tie break rule. Hong Wei Han struck out as he fouled attempting to bunt on two strikes. Pinch hitter Wang Cheng Shun popped out to catcher in foul territory. Li Kai Wei looked at strike one, swung through the second pitch by reliever Diego Cordero and then delivered. Runners scored from second and first.

At the end of the game we had a chance to speak to Li Kai Wei through an interpreter: “When I stepped into the box I was relaxed. I knew I only needed to look for a good pitch and not try to do too much.”
The good pitch came on a two-strike count: “I watched carefully the Dominican pitcher while in the dug out and on deck and I noticed that he tended to throw fastball on a two-strike count. It was what I was looking for.”
A College player, Li Kai Wei smiled when asked if he wants to become a pro: “Definitely so.”

Li Kai Wei was not the only hero on the field for Chinese Taipei. Starting pitcher Cheng Hao Chun went nine innings and 120 pitches, allowing only three hits and one walk.

The Dominican Republic took an early lead. In the bottom of the second, Julio Rodriguez singled and advanced on a defensive error. The Dominican Republic bunted him to third and he scored on a sacrifice fly to deep center field by Gilberto Celestino.

Chinese Taipei got to starter Claudio Galva, a Toronto Blue Jays Minor Leaguer, in the sixth. With Li Kai Wei (base hit) on board, pinch hitter Yao Kuan Wei sent a towering fly ball to right. Hansel Moreno prevented a home run with an extraordinary catch.

An outstanding catch by Hansel Moreno prevented a home run in the sixth

The tying run came in the top of the seventh in the most unconventional way. With Li Cheng En on second, reliever Rafael Vizcaino struck out pinch hitter Kao Yu Chieh to end the inning. But the ball went over catcher Julio Rodriguez and Li Cheng En scored from second.

Both teams put a runner on board in the ninth. The Dominican Republic had the best chance to score as Julio Rodriguez doubled. Hansel Moreno popped out to third base to end the inning.

Reliever Wu Chen Yu needed only five pitches, four strikes, to take care of the last three outs.