Chinese Taipei, Australia open Day 3 of the U-18 Baseball World Cup with wins against Italy, Nicaragua

Day 3 of the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup opens with wins for Chinese Taipei and Australia

Chinese Taipei keep cruising with a 9-1 win against Italy. The european side stays in the game for 8 innings, but never gives the impression of having a chance to win it.

Righthander Bortolomai is off a rough start for Italy and throws 6 balls in a row. After a visit by pitching coach Cretis, second baseman Tseng Han Yu surprises italian defense with a bunt to first base. A base hit by left fielder Kuo Tien Hsin and a sacrifice fly by first baseman Li Yu Chuan put Chinese Taipei on the board with 2 runs. When the ball gets by catcher Bertossi and Kuo tries to score, Bortolomai covers home plate to get the third out.

Chinese Taipei adds 3 runs in the third. Lead off third baseman Wang Hung Yi reaches on an infield hit and Tseng Han Yu follows with a base hit to left. Wang advances to third and scores on Kuo Tien Hsin sacrifice fly. The other 2 runs come on hits by center fielder Chiu Tan and designated hitter Tai Pei Lin. Italy relieves Bortolomai with Tommaso Battioni.

Chinese Taipei starter Wang Chih Ting dominates Italy. The azzurri reach in the first on a single by shortstop Angioi and collect the second hit in the fourth, when catcher Bertossi homers to left and puts them on the scoreboard.
Bertossi provides the only other extra base hit for taly, as he doubles on a line drive to left in the bottom of the eigth and forces Chinese Taipei to make the second call to the bull pen. Wu Shi Hai replaces Lin Jui Hsiang to induce a grounder to third by first baseman Seminati and end the inning.

Battioni and left hander Novello, third pitcher for Italy, take the game into the ninth without allowing other runs. But Chinese Taipei break the score open as Aldeghieri takes the mound with one out in the final frame, allows 2 hits and walks a couple. Paolini has to move from third base to get the final out and Chinese Taipei extend their lead to the final 9-1.

Wang Chih Ting (Christian J Stewart-WBSC)

Australia earn their second win in the tournament as they defeat (11-6) Nicaragua.

Australia get on the scoreboard in the first on a 3 run homer by designated hitter Wingrove, then they add 6 in the second and force wild (4 walks) starter Obando to leave.
Australia don’t need to look back, even if a brave Nicaragua side do their best to make it a game. They score 4 on 4 hits off starter O’ Laughlin (who goes 6 innings, striking out 9, for the win) and 2 more on Holm, aussie fourth pitcher.

Nicaragua tried to be aggressive against Australia (James Mirabelli-WBSC)