Chinese Taipei, USA to play for Gold at II 12U Baseball World Cup

27/07/2013

USA beats Japan, Chinese Taipei takes down Venezuela to reach Final

Taipei City. Chinese Taipei and the United States will play for Gold at the II 12U Baseball World Cup in Taipei City. The championship game is scheduled for 2pm local time at Tien-Mou Stadium. Reigning title holder Chinese Taipei shut out Venezuela in the semi-finals on Saturday. Team USA held down Japan in the second semi-final to reach the final in their first ever international tournament.

Both teams enter the Gold Medal Game on Sunday with 7-1 records. Chinese Taipei’s only loss came against Japan during the first round; Venezuela had defeated the United States. Otherwise they kept their opponents off the board and were able to win with great pitching, defense and balanced work at the plate.

The US squad has allowed just five runs during the tournament so far, three of them coming in their loss against Venezuela. Chinese Taipei isn’t far behind, having conceded seven runs. On offense both have found ways to score, either relying on home runs or aggressive base running to take advantage of opposing mistakes. It all should put the signs towards an interesting championship game.

Besides the final, three classification games are scheduled on Sunday. At Youth Park Brazil and Mexico will play for seventh place and Korea takes on Panama in the game for fifth. As prelude to the title game, Japan and Venezuela will meet in the Bronze Medal Game at Tien-Mou Stadium in the morning.

Semi-Finals

USA 9 – Japan 1

The United States stopped Japan’s undefeated run in the 12U Baseball World Cup with a 9-1 statement win in semi-final one on Saturday morning in Tien-Mou. After Team Nippon’s lead in the top of the second, three runs in the third and six in the fourth decided the outcome. Colton Olasin put the final nail into the coffin with a grand slam, capping the six-run rally. Joseph Naranjo, Adam Crampton and Kevin Martin combined to throw a three-hitter.

Venezuela 0 – Chinese Taipei 8

Po-Chun Chen led Chinese Taipei to an 8-0 shutout over Venezuela in the second semi-final on Saturday at Tien-Mou. He allowed just two hits and a walk in 5 2/3 scoreless innings, while striking out 10. He also drove in three runs at the plate. Shortstop Chih-Chun Chen hit a leadoff home run off Aaron Brancho. Chun-Hao Ma crossed the plate three times. Venezuela hadn’t lost a game in the tournament prior to the game.

Classification Round

Mexico – Korea 4-8

Korea scored six runs in the first two innings to beat Mexico 8-4 in the first game of the classification round on Saturday morning at Youth Park. Dong Wook Kwon drove in four. Seong Min Kim pitched six strong innings in relief to keep the Mexican offense in check. Korea now will play for fifth place, Mexico for seventh.

Brazil 1 – Panama 3

The second classification round game on Saturday afternoon at Youth Park turned out to be the Ariel Vega show. He issued just an unearned run on two hits in six strong innings to lead Panama to a 3-1 win over Brazil. He also drove in the first run for his team. Panama now gets a chance for fifth place in their debut at the 12U Baseball World Cup, Brazil has to settle for the seventh place game.

Schedule

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Gold Medal Game
14:00 USA – Chinese Taipei (Tien-Mou)

Bronze Medal Game
10:00 Japan – Venezuela (Tien-Mou)

Game for 5th Place
14:00 Panama – Korea (Youth Park)

Game for 7th Place
10:00 Mexico – Brazil (Youth Park)

(all times local)