PLAY OF THE GAME — Francesco Carlini catch: Francesco Carlini started on the mound before he was put in at shortstop. In the top of the fifth inning, with one out and one runner on, Carlini caught a popout near second base.

Carlini dove, arm extended, to nab the ball in an all-out effort to prevent what would’ve been a base hit to allow two runners on. A player hit by a pitch and a walk loaded the bases, but a groundout pulled Italy out of the jam in part by Carlini’s highlight-reel grab.

CHINESE TAIPEI PLAYER OF THE GAME — Hsiao Chao-Hsun: Taipei City’s arms threw a collective one-hitter behind 12 strikeouts in the shutout win. Among the pitching staff was Hsiao Chao-Hsun, who struck out a game-high five batters through 2 2/3 innings of work.

ITALY PLAYER OF THE GAME — Emanuele Arcieri: With one out left to go in the game, Bologna’s third baseman recorded the club’s one and only hit of the game, disrupting what would’ve been a combined no-hitter. It was a last-minute show of defiance from Italy in a game that belonged to Chinese Taipei.

BIG INNING — Top of the first inning: Taipei City made a statement in the opening frame of play with bats already red-hot at the plate.

Chinese Taipei began the game with three straight hits to center field before a single out was made. The third knock came from first baseman Shen Li-Chen, who drove in the leadoff runner for the initial score.

An out was made on the play and a fielder’s choice put runners on the corners before a groundout limited Italy’s damage to one run.

BEST EFFORT — Chinese Taipei’s offense in the fourth inning: After a second inclement weather delay and five straight outs across both sides, Chinese Taipei woke up in the top of the fourth inning.

With two outs at the top of the order, shortstop Liao Yuan-Shu hit a two-out double to the center wall. Betting next in the lineup, catcher Tseng Yi-Che hit a double of his own to right field, driving in Yuan-Shu to take a two-run lead.

FLASHING LEATHER — Chinese Taipei made an early pitching change, Li Fang-Mo coming out after just 18 pitches. He had three strikeouts and no hits allowed. Chao-Hsun came in after Fang-Mo struck out the first batter in the bottom of the second.

Chao-Hsun struck out the following two batters on 12 pitches. Italy’s side was struck out in order between both of Chinese Taipei’s arms.

WHAT THE ADULTS SAY — “Everything here is new and exciting,” Chinese Taipei manager Chang Tzu-Chien said. “We want to make sure every pitcher has a chance to step out onto the field, and that’s more important than a no-hitter. The key is trying to do well the whole tournament.”

“We didn’t have pitchers that could compete with Taiwan’s lineup,” Italy manager Stefano Tamburini said. “So, we decided to go with the bullpen game to let the pitchers get accustomed to the field … we wanted them to have the experience so in the following game, they’ll be ready. Or, hopefully they’ll be ready.”

WHAT THE KIDS SAY — “Everybody’s always looking forward to coming to Williamsport,” Yuan-Shu said. “Every year there’s a lot of expectation and for two years because of the pandemic, it’s even more exciting just to be here.”

“The ball is not as fast as we’ve seen in the past and maybe some players are not used to it,” Yi-Che said. “I just want to make sure when I strike, the ball is in front of the swing.”

WHAT IT MEANS — Eventually, after three inclement weather delays, Game 5 of the Little League World Series finished at 5:41 p.m. in favor of Taipei City. Chinese Taipei will take on the winner between the Panama and Caribbean regional teams at Volunteer Stadium at 1 p.m. Monday.

Bologna, Italy will face Queensland, Australia in an elimination game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Volunteer.