Solid pitching gives Chinese Taipei another win

Ye-En Chiu allowed only one hit over 4.1 innings of work. Lei Yeh inherited a one-out and bases-loaded situation and got out of it through a double-play grounder. Pitching again proved the hosts' strength as World No. 4 Chinese Taipei defeated No.10 Dominican Republic, 4-0, at the VII WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup.

The Dominican Republic had the first scoring opportunity. Ye-En Chiu struck out Gustavo Talmare, the best hitter in the tournament, with a runner at third to end the bottom of the first.

Chinese Taipei took the lead in the top of the second. Left fielder Qi-En Zheng doubled off the centre field wall, scoring Sheng-Rang Wang from third.

The hosts broke the score open in the top of the fifth. Zheng hit a one-out infield single. Joshua Tomas walked the bases loaded and left for Jairo Mejia. The reliever's third pitch went away from catcher's Axel Olivo glove, and a run scored. A throwing error gave Chinese Taipei another run, and the single to left by leadoff hitter Yi-Hau Huang cleared the bases, extending Chinese Taipei's lead to 4-0.

Chiu walked the bases loaded and left for Lei Yeh in the bottom half of the frame with one out. The reliever went down in the count 3-1, then got Justin Garcia to ground hard to second base. Sheng-Rang Wang started an inning-ending double play.

Yeh retired the side in order in the top of the sixth.

Chinese Taipei remain the only undefeated team. They will play Korea on the second day of the Super Round, while the Dominican Republic (1-2) will face Venezuela.