TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan faced Panama on Sunday evening in the U18 Baseball World Cup in Okinawa, Japan, with both teams locked in a pitching duel for four scoreless innings.

In the bottom of the seventh and final inning, the game came to a dramatic finish, with designated hitter Chang Yu-hao (張育豪) slapping a pitch under a diving right fielder with Jiang Ting-yi (江庭毅) rounding the bases and evading a tag for the walk-off victory, per CNA.

Taiwan started the game with submarine pitcher Chen Shih-chan (陳世展). He would get the first eight outs before surrendering a single in the top of the third with two outs. With a runner on base, he induced the next batter into a groundout to end the inning.

Chen would not face another threat until the top of the fifth with two outs as he allowed a walk, though the next batter would hit into a groundout, ending Panama's momentum.

Chen would face another threat in the top of the sixth inning due to a single and the fielder's choice, which allowed a runner in scoring position. He would counter, striking out the next two batters before leaving the game.

Taiwan reliever Su Lan-hong (蘇嵐鴻) took over walking the next batter, though with the bases loaded, he would strike out the next batter with a 151 kmh fastball. Su did not fare as well in the top of the seventh inning, allowing three consecutive hits that plated one run, tying the game 1-1.

In the bottom of the seventh, Taiwan had two outs when Jiang walked and later scored on a Chang bloop single that dropped under a diving right fielder, securing the victory.

With the win, Taiwan's record improved to 2-1. The team will face Australia with a similar record on Monday at 1:30 p.m.