Taiwan's Ciou Zhi-Kai (8) slides into home past Jscoring on Yu Chia-Jui's double against Japan during the first inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)

After struggling to score through the first half of its game against Cuba, Chinese Taipei was able to come out the gates swinging — and connecting — against Japan, posting three straight hits from Chiu Wei-Che, Ciou Zhi-Kai and Yu Chia-Jui.

Chia-Jui’s left field liner was enough to get him to second, on top of batting in Wei-Che and Zhi Kai. And as he stood there in scoring position, with no outs and his cleanup batter — Liao Hsuan-Hao — up to bat, his team was in a great spot to continue doing damage.

But sometimes when the stakes are highest, things outside of your control can affect an outcome. In the team’s pursuit of its second straight appearance in the Little League World Series international final, that strong start would be halted by the rain.

Even with the rain delay only lasting about 30 minutes, it was enough to put out the fire that had been lit within Chinese Taipei’s bats in the early going of that game. When play resumed, Japan secured three outs against its next three batters to close out the first.

“We were very happy that we were able to perform in the very first inning. It’s too bad that the rain came and cooled not just the weather down, but us down as well,” laugh Chinese Taipei manager Lee Cheng-Ta through an interpreter. “However, we were able to get back in the game.”

It was a chance for Japan’s pitching staff to regroup as well, which it effectively did.

After surrendering three hits in the first inning alone, Japan starting pitcher Yuki Tsuji, making his first series start from the mound, got it together, retiring the side in the second on the back of two strikeouts. And when leadoff batter Chiu Wei-Che returned to the plate in the third, he grounded into a double play, closing out Japan’s second straight scoreless inning.

But while Chinese Taipei’s offense wasn’t getting much done, its defense matched Japan’s resurgence.

Ace pitcher Lai Cheng-Xi posted five strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings pitched before getting relieved at 50 pitches. And though relieving pitcher Ciou Zhi-Kai kicked things off in the third with back-to-back walks, he’d make up for it with back-to-back strikeouts to close the inning.

“It was an important game, so I was kind of nervous in the beginning and gave up two walks,” said Zhi-Kai. “Coach told me to relax and do what I usually do and towards the end, I gained more confidence and started doing better.”

With its defense maintaining its lead, its momentum remained constant. And once Chinese Taipei’s top of the order came around for a third rotation in the fourth inning, it produced just enough of a spark to add to its cushion.

Cleanup batter Liao Hsuan-Hao and second baseman Peng Yi-Yen each fought for walks and with his second double of the series, first baseman Hu Yen-Chun batted Hsuan-Hao in to make it 3-0.

“Fortunately, we were ahead and were able to capture another run in the middle there,” said Cheng-Ta. “We are just very happy that we could come up with the W.”

Even with Japan seeing some offensive life in the sixth, with back-to-back doubles from Sora Okamoto and Yuki Tsuji granting it a run, Chinese Taipei made the most of its cushion and finished things off from there, securing the final out on the at-bat that followed Tsuji’s.

With the win, Cheng-Ta finds himself in a familiar scenario, with his team making it to the international final for the second straight season. They’ll face the winner of Japan and Venezuela for a shot at the title.

“The kids are excited,” expressed Cheng-Ta. “I’m extremely happy to have the chance to be in the international final.”