Seoul (Korea). Chinese Taipei has won the bronze medal at the XXV IBAF 18U Baseball World Championship. They defeated Colombia 4-1 in a rematch of their second-round game from Friday. The match had a similar feel, as the dethroned 18U Baseball World Champion scored three quick runs in the first en route to a third-place finish. The South Americans meanwhile celebrate one of their best tournament results at this age category. Chinese Taipei is winning its sixth bronze medal in history.
Similar to the game on the day before, Chinese Taipei didn’t waste any time to get on the board. The first five batters reached base with the help of three hits, a walk and two fielding errors in the outfield and at second base. Tzu Wei Lin, Yu Pin Sen and Tsung Hsien Lee crossed the plate for three runs. The fourth run scored in the third on a RBI single by Chia Kai Liu. Colombia only was able to avoid the shutout with a RBI groundout by Edwin Fuentes in the top of the third.
Otherwise it was Jen Ho Tseng, who wrote the story of the game. The starting pitcher of Chinese Taipei dominated with 12 strikeouts, allowing just one run on six hits in nine innings. He also hit a batter and cruised easily through the Colombian batting order. Yeizer Marrugo surrendered four hits, four runs (3 ER) and three base on balls in 2 2/2 innings. Roger Velez (4.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) and Jose Ruiz kept the Asian bats in check after their four-run beginning. But as their offense couldn’t produce anything substantial, they had to settle for fourth.
