×

Chinese Taipei shuts out third opponent, takes third place over Tennessee in Little League World Series

Taiwan second baseman Pai Cheng-Yen (4) congratulates Nolensville, Tenn.'s William Satinoff (9) on his double as he stands on second base during the third inning of the Consolation game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022. Taiwan won 2-0. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)

Randy Huth never had the chance to face international competition for more reasons than one.

The Tennessee manager coached Nashville in last year’s Little League World Series, but even with international competition barred due to COVID-19 travel restrictions in 2021, Tennessee went down 0-2 in the beginning of the tournament.

Not only did Huth and his players stay in the bracket much longer this time around in 2022, but they also got their first taste of foreign baseball.

In the third-place match of the Little League World Series, Chinese Taipei defeated Tennessee, 2-0 at Lamade Stadium on Sunday.

“They all came over and greeted us and we took our hats off and put ’em on their heads, took their hats, put ’em on our heads and we took fun pictures,” Tennessee manager Randy Huth said. “They’re just such lovable kids and although we don’t speak their language and very few of them speak our language, we still communicated through baseball. And that’s beautiful.”

Taiwan's Liao Yuan-Shu (18) delivers a pitch against Nolensville, Tenn. during the first inning of the Consolation game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)

It was the first time since 2010 a Taiwan team finished within the top three in the tournament. Liao Yuan-Shu pitched a complete game with 13 strikeouts with three hits allowed and not a single walk.

In Fu-Lin’s first trip to South Williamsport, the club shut out three opponents with just two runs allowed against it throughout the Little League World Series, as well as just six runs in the entire Taiwan postseason.

“Today is my very last game of Little League,” Yuan-Shu said. “When I came in, I said, ‘I’m gonna do my best and finish off on a good note.'”

Li Fang-Mo led off the top of the second inning with a base hit and a walk gave the international runner-up two runners on base.

A strikeout and fielder’s choice erased Fang-Mo, but a throwing error as runners were trying to steal wrangled in a run. Jack Rhodes struck out his next batter to prevent more damage.

Nolensville, Tenn. center fielder Grayson May (1) fields a ball hit by Taiwan's Wu Hsuan-Hung that dropped in front of him backing him up is left fielder Lane Dever during the fourth inning of the Consolation game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022. Taiwan won 2-0. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)

Wang Yuan-Fu put one in shallow center to lead off the top of the fourth inning. Tennessee made two outs before Wu Hsuan-Hung knocked an RBI single and worked his way to second on the play and a ground out pulled Nolensville out of the inning.

“I’m very happy and excited, and want to add that I’ve been practicing hard all my life and that’s exactly what I wanted to do, and I did it today,” Hsuan-Hung said on his RBI.

At the top of Nolensville’s order in the third inning, shortstop William Satinoff roped one to left for a two-out double, but a strikeout kept Tennessee from raising its head above water.

Bo Daniel also recorded a double to kick off the following inning, but a fielder’s choice to first and back-to-back strikeouts from Yuan-Shu once again kept Tennessee from reaching third base, let alone chipping into its deficit.

“I coach philosophy and have always encouraged the team to play as a team,” Chinese Taipei manager Chang Tzu-Chien said. “Not one player or two players can carry on or win the tournament or win a game. I always encourage everybody to learn together, grow together and improve together. With that philosophy, you’re able to see this team as we see this tournament with two runs in the whole tournament.”

Rhodes, after a 2 for 3 day at the plate against Hawaii, reached 85 on his pitch count upon a fielder’s choice to second base in the fifth inning. He finished with five strikeouts, three hits and three walks to go with Chinese Taipei’s two runs. Nash Carter pitched the remainder of the game and walked one batter.

Tennessee won the Little League World Series sportsmanship award following the game.

“It’s absolutely magic. The whole entire experience is just magical,” Huth said. “To come last year and make it this far and go 0-2 and lose a heartbreaking loss in extra innings to the team that eventually finished second, learning from that experience, bringing two players back with experience and being able to do what we just did, is pretty magical. It’s a good story.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today