August 24, 2024 3:11 PM
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Taiwan starting pitcher Lai Cheng-xi struck out 12 batters and allowed just three hits, and the Asia-Pacific team beat Venezuela, 4-1, on Saturday to advance to the Little League World Series championship.
Taiwan only managed three hits, but they didn't need any hits as they earned eight walks and scored two runs on a wild pitch.
Taiwan will face the winner of the Florida-Texas game later Saturday in Sunday's final. Taiwan is playing in the LLWS for the 32nd time and has a chance to win for the first time since 1996. However, Taiwan has won the tournament 17 times, more than any other international team, including five consecutive wins from 1977-1981.
The Keishan Little League in Taoyuan, Taiwan, reached the semifinals of the international tournament in 2023 but ultimately finished in third place. Coach Lee Chen-ta has brought the team back to South Williamsport, but with a completely different roster.
Venezuela's Jose Pérez took to the mound with one out and the bases loaded in the top of the third inning. Yu Jiajai walked on five pitches and looked up toward the dugout with his hands in celebration as Chen Bowei homered. The play made the score 2-0, but with Lai in control, it felt like a turning point.
While Lai struck out repeatedly, Venezuela struggled to consistently hit the strike zone, and wild pitches started to hurt them early on. In the first inning, starter Luis Yepes hit a pitch into the back net, allowing Chiu Wei-che to score safely for Taiwan.
Venezuela got on base in their first at-bat when Ruiz singled to left and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, but Lai struck out the next two batters to end the Latin American threat.
Taiwan added another run in the fifth when Lewis and Samuel Carrasquel collided while trying to catch a fly ball in shallow center field for the final out of the inning. Chen, who had singled to left in his previous at-bat, had enough time to homer to extend the lead to four runs.
Venezuela finally threatened in the sixth when Abraham Lucena doubled to right to put runners on second and third. A grounder scored a run and Simon Bicceria grounded out to reliever Chiu to end the game.
