Chinese Taipei comes from behind to walk off Panama to close Day 1 of WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup
Panama was almost perfect for five innings behind starter Johan Camarena. In the bottom of the sixth, its defence could not back up a struggling bullpen. En Chen batted in the winning run.
World No. 2 Chinese Taipei came from behind to walk off their VI WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup opener against No. 13 Panama, 4-3.
The defending World Champions, Chinese Taipei, needed the effort of five pitchers. Yu-En Chen pitched one perfect inning to earn the win.
Panama was off to a brilliant start and played four solid innings behind starter Johan Camarena. The right-hander allowed just two hits and left with a 3-0 lead.
Panama entered the bottom of the sixth with a 3-1 lead. After playing spectacular defence, Panama couldn't support its struggling bullpen.
With runners at the corners, Omar Vargas replaced Julian Atencio. He got the second out on strikes and had Rui-Xin Chen hit a hard grounder to shortstop. Chen barely beat the throw to first and then scored the winning run on a blooper to left by third baseman En Chen.
Tainan Mayor Wei Chei Wang during the ceremonial first pitch
Chinese Taipei presentation
Passionate fans at the Asia Pacific International Stadium
Chinese Taipei starter Wu Sheng Zhi
Wu Sheng Zhi is also CHinese Taipei leadoff hitter
Panama's starter Johan Camarena
Good stretch for Chinese Taipei first baseman Guan Sheng Lu
Panama's Shortstop Jayko Medina applies the tag on Po Yuan Chuang
A great leaping catch by Po-Yuan Chuan
Third baseman En Chen hit the walk off single
En Chen runs the bases after his walk-off single
Chinese Taipei celebrates the first win in the VI WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cuo