Chinese Taipei defeats Canada in LLWS opener 8-0 at Volunteer Stadium
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A capsule look at Chinese Taipei's 8-0 win over Canada on Wednesday at Volunteer Stadium.
PLAY OF THE GAME -- Though Canada started to reel a bit in the third inning, it seemed like it was fixing to get out of it relatively unscathed - trailing by just two runs and having just secured the second out of the inning. But with the bases still loaded, Chinese Taipei catcher Yu Chia-Jui found the spot of the ball he needed to find to break open the game. He'd nailed a fly ball over the head of Canada left fielder Eric Popovich, clearing the bases with a three-RBI double and upping the team's lead to 5-0.
CHINESE TAIPEI PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Pitcher Lai Cheng-Xi: Though he'd fall just short of a perfect game, needing just five outs to pull it off, the fact that we're even talking about a perfect game is a testament to how well Chinese starting pitcher Lai Cheng-Xi played on Wednesday night. He never appeared fazed throughout the night, allowing zero runs, zero hits and zero walks - with the only runner to reach base coming on a throwing error to first. He played a big role in the team becoming the 68th team to record a no-hitter at the Little League World Series and finished his outing with ten strikeouts on 70 pitches - averaging one strikeout per seven pitches.
CANADA PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Pitcher Ben Wegwitz: It was a rough game for Canada, but starting pitcher Ben Wegwitz played a key role in giving the team some hope and confidence early in the game. He posted four strikeouts before things fell apart in the third, pitching two scoreless innings to kick off the game.
BIG INNING -- Despite the 8-0 outcome, Chinese Taipei only put up runs in two separate innings. It was just the degree at which they put up runs in those periods that mattered in the end. The most devastating inning for Canada was the third, which saw seven Chinese Taipei runners make it on base - five of which made it by way of walk. Those mistakes - coupled with some well-timed hits - culminated in five runs for Chinese Taipei. Two innings later, it would add three more to further seal the dominant victory.
BEST EFFORT-- It seemed like Chinese Taipei was well on its way to winning by way of mercy rule, reloading the bases after putting up five runs in the fifth. But though Yu Teng-Hao put a well-placed liner fly ball into centerfield, Canada centerfielder did what he had to in order to keep his team from falling out of the game completely, diving for a ball that seemed uncatchable and coming down with it. The play turned into a double play as well, Hu Yen-Chun was doubled off at second.
FLASHING LEATHER-- Chinese Taipei closing pitcher Ciou Zhi-Kai didn't have as difficult of a job as Cheng-Xi, but still went into the game in the bottom of the fifth with the added pressure of finishing off the team's no-hitter. He was so focused on the task at hand, he didn't even realize a no-no was at stake. But he still pulled it off nonetheless, posting three strikeouts to just one walk in the process.
WHAT THE ADULTS SAY--"The score doesn't really dictate how we played today. But they beat us, and you've got to hit the ball too," said Canada manager Stephen Young on the loss. "I think the boys were able to shake off some nerves though, and I'm proud of what they did."
WHAT THE KIDS SAY-- "(I didn't feel) too much pressure (to maintain the perfect game) because I can handle it and how important it is, especially the first game," said Chinese Taipei starting pitcher Lai Cheng-Xi through an interpreter. "I've been looking forward to this game."
WHAT IT MEANS-- With the win, Chinese Taipei is set to face Australia in the second round of the international bracket, with that matchup taking place on Friday at Volunteer Stadium at 5 p.m. Canada will look to bounce back in consolations, where its set to take on the loser of Japan and Puerto Rico at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Volunteer Stadium.