Chinese-Taipei clinches third ASPAC title

A three-run bottom of the third inning was all Chinese-Taipei needed to end the rain-delayed championship match and advance to the World Series, which takes place next month in Williamsport, Virginia.

Before the finals, a semis match between Korea and Thailand continued in the third inning with Korea having a 5-0 advantage. The game was suspended due to rain on Thursday. Upon resumption, Korea took that game an inning later via mercy rule, 10-0.

Then the final duel was originally set for 11am, but was pushed back to 1:30pm because of heavy rainfall. Tournament organizers scrambled to prepare the field because suspension of the match was off the table as both teams are scheduled to depart this morning.

At the start of the championship game, both teams stranded a runner and Korea went 1-2-3 to start the second, but kept a lid on the defending champion in the bottom half of that inning.

Chinese-Taipei stuffed Korea again in the top of the third and then the former came alive in the bottom frame.

Chinese-Taipei took a 3-0 lead off three hits, three walks, and an error. It loaded the bases right away, knocking starting pitcher Ahn Jun off the mound, and broke the ice with an RBI walk gifted by reliever Jun Spark Sun.

Then Tszeng Citzen Tso drew a one out walk and teammates Weng Chi Cheng and Yang Chin Hao followed with base hits.

Ko Chia Hao bagged an RBI walk and next batter Hso Chi Ling drove in Cheng with a single, while Chin Hao snuck around to the plate off an error at second base.

Korea’s Sun settled down after the shaky start and escaped the frame with the bases loaded.

Korea answered with a run in the top half of the fourth, as Jung Jae-Min led off with a hit and came home off a triple by Shin Min-Hyeok.

Chinese-Taipei came up empty in the bottom frame and both teams went three up and three down in the fifth inning. Chinese-Taipei then held strong in the final stand.

Winning pitcher Yang Chin Hao went all six and gave up one earned run off four hits and a walk with seven strikeouts. He struck out the side in the second inning.

Korea competed very well and only allowed three hits to Chinese-Taipei all in the third frame. However the runner-up also issued three of its five walks in the very same inning.

Chinese-Taipei was presented with the championship banner in front of the crowd after shaking hands with its opponents. Later last night, all teams attended the closing ceremony dinner banquet held at the Outrigger Guam Resort.

Meanwhile, host Guam thanked all the teams and tournament sponsors for their support in the weeklong competition.

“The wet conditions were disappointing, but we would like to thank the volunteers for all their hard work this week. We also want to thank all the teams for their patience and hope everyone enjoyed the experience,” Guam Little League public information officer Gerry Cruz said.

Cruz also thanked Pacific Islands Club Guam, Hawaiian Rock Products Guam, IT&E, Gatorade, Pepsi, Coast 360 Federal Credit Union, Calvo’s Insurance, 76 Canoco Phillips, Circle K Stores, Outrigger Guam Resort, Bank of Guam, and ASC Trust Corporation for their support.