Little League World Series: Chinese Taipei shuts out second straight opponent in win over Panama
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A closer look at the 7-0 Taipei City, Chinese Taipei win over Aguadulce, Panama on Monday at Volunteer Stadium.
PLAY OF THE GAME -- Wang Yuan-Fu two RBI single: Still looking for its first hit of the game, Chinese Taipei had no problem loading the bases in the third inning. That first hit came from third baseman Wang Yuan-Fu, who hit a line drive to double Chinese Taipei's lead with two runs driven in on the play.
CHINESE TAIPEI PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Liao Yuan-Shu: Liao Yuan-Shu earned the win on the mound for Chinese Taipei, pitching 5 2/3 shutout innings with eight strikeouts and four hits allowed on just 64 pitches.
PANAMA PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Adrian de Gracia: Aguadulce's third baseman recorded two of Panama's four hits and went 3 for 3 at the plate.
BIG INNING -- Top of the third inning: Deadlocked entering the third inning, Chinese Taipei broke the game open with four runs in the top of the third inning.
The first two runs were brought in on a fielder's choice and wild pitch with the bases loaded both times. Yuan-Fu then added two with his big knock later on in the inning to take a commanding four-run lead.
BEST EFFORT -- Without recording a single hit, Chinese Taipei laid the pressure on Panama in the top of the third inning. Taipei City loaded the bases and a fielder's choice to second base brought home the initial run of the game.
A walk once again loaded the bases and another run was wrangled in on a wild pitch. Without putting the bat on the ball, Chinese Taipei still jumped out to a quick two-run lead. Chinese Taipei loaded the bases three different times in the inning.
FLASHING LEATHER -- Panama made its first six outs of the game via groundouts with just one runner reaching base on a walk in the second inning during that time. Both clubs knocked one another down in order within the first two innings as well.
No one reached base from the bottom of the fourth inning through the bottom of the fifth as both defenses butted heads late.
WHAT THE ADULTS SAY -- "I'm proud of this pitching staff. Not one superstar. Everyone is involved in the pitching," Chinese Taipei manager Chang Tzu-Chien said. "Everyone is pretty good."
Panama manager Ubaldo Ramos IV declined invitation to the postgame press conference.
WHAT THE KIDS SAY -- "It's really exciting to have a shutout performance," Yuan-Shu said. "It not only builds up my confidence, but builds up the team to continue this performance like today's shutout."
WHAT IT MEANS -- Chinese Taipei has now shut out its first two opponents and outscored teams 9-0. An additional two runs were brought in during the fourth inning on an error and a sacrifice fly from Li Fang-Mo. Wuang Yuan-Fu added an RBI double in the sixth.
Taipei City advances and will face the winner between Canada and Mexico at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at Volunteer Stadium. Panama falls to the elimination bracket and will play Curaçao at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at Volunteer.