Taiwan Advances in U18 Baseball World Cup with Dramatic Walk-Off Win Over Puerto Rico
Okinawa,Japan – September 12,2025 – In a nail-biting contest at the U18 Baseball World Cup in Okinawa,the Taiwanese team secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Puerto Rico today,keeping their semi-final hopes alive. A stunning walk-off hit by Li Kaiqi in the bottom of the 9th inning sealed the win for Taiwan, sparking jubilant celebrations amongst the team and fans.
The game was a pitching duel from the outset, with Taiwanese starter Chen Shizhan delivering a masterful performance. He pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and striking out five, effectively shutting down the Puerto Rican offense.
“Chen Shizhan was outstanding today,” commented a team spokesperson after the game. “He really set the tone and gave us a chance to win.”
Despite Chen Shizhan’s dominance, the Taiwanese bats remained largely quiet for the majority of the game. opportunities were squandered, including a baserunning error in the third inning and a failure to capitalize on a walk and stolen base in the sixth. Taiwan finaly managed their first hit of the game in the sixth inning courtesy of Zeng Shengen, but couldn’t string together enough offense to break the deadlock.
With the game tied 0-0 heading into the 9th, the pressure mounted. Taiwan brought in Lai Qianfan to pitch,and he successfully held Puerto Rico scoreless in the top of the inning.
Then, in the bottom of the 9th, Li Kaiqi stepped up to the plate and delivered the game-winning hit, sending his teammates into a frenzy of party.
A history of success
Taiwan has a strong tradition in the U18 Baseball World Cup, reaching the championship game in the past three tournaments and winning the title in 2019. Thay earned their spot in this year’s competition by winning the Asian Youth Baseball Championship, defeating rivals Japan in the process. This victory against Puerto Rico keeps their hopes of securing a fourth U18 World Cup championship alive.
The U18 World Cup is held biennially, with participation determined by performance in regional qualifying tournaments. The tournament showcases the future stars of baseball and is a key development platform for young players.
Key Takeaways:
* Pitching Dominance: Chen Shizhan’s stellar performance was the foundation of Taiwan’s victory.
* Clutch Hitting: li Kaiqi’s walk-off hit proved to be the decisive moment of the game.
* Semi-Final Hopes Alive: The win keeps Taiwan in contention for a spot in the semi-finals and a potential fourth championship title.
Further Coverage:
* [Link to U18 Baseball World Cup Official Website](Insert Link Here - Placeholder)
* [Link to Previous Coverage of Asian Youth Baseball Championship](Insert Link Here – Placeholder)
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