TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan lost 2-1 to Japan on Saturday in the Super Round of the U18 Asian Baseball Championship at Taipei Dome, ending its hopes of defending its title and sending the team into Sunday's bronze-medal game against the Philippines.
Japan's victory put it into Sunday's championship game against South Korea, while Taiwan will face the Philippines at 1:30 p.m. at Taipei Dome. The championship game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Taiwan took an early lead when Hu Chen-jui (胡辰睿) drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on Chang Yi-an's (張乙安) sacrifice bunt, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Liu Huan-yu (劉桓宇) then grounded out, allowing Hu to score. Japan responded in the bottom of the inning with two runs to take a 2-1 lead, and neither team scored again, per TSNA.
Taiwan starting pitcher Liu Jen-yu (劉任右) worked four and two-thirds innings, allowing six hits and two runs while striking out seven and walking none. Japan starter Oda Shoki went six innings, giving up three hits and one earned run while striking out seven.
Liu was visibly emotional after the game, expressing regret over the narrow defeat. “It was so close ... we really had a chance to win,” Liu said, per UDN.
He said he had spent considerable time thinking about his strategy for facing Japan and knew Taiwan could not afford to give Oda many opportunities. Liu also praised Oda's pitching, particularly his ability to maintain a consistent pace.
He said he hoped to study Oda's approach and improve his own pitching, noting that effective pitching involves more than velocity and requires stamina and consistency. Liu had previously pitched five scoreless innings against South Korea in the tournament, allowing no hits.
He said facing two of the tournament's strongest teams in consecutive games provided valuable experience. “I had a chance to win, but I didn't seize it,” Liu said, taking responsibility for Taiwan's inability to turn its early lead into a victory, per UDN.
Liu said he also felt his pitching velocity was not as strong against Japan as it had been against South Korea. After going all out against South Korea, he said he struggled to adjust his rhythm and recovery over the following days.
Taiwan reliever Wu Hao-siang (吳皓翔) held Japan hitless over the final one and one-third innings, but Taiwan could not overcome the deficit. Taiwan finished with four hits and five walks.
Taiwan entered the tournament as the defending champion after winning the 2024 edition. The tournament is a qualifier for the 2027 WBSC U18 Baseball World Cup, which will be held in Pingtan, China, with the top three teams earning automatic berths.
