TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's baseball team is poised to advance to the Super Round of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier12 tournament on Monday (Nov. 18) as they prepare to face Cuba, concluding the Opening Round. With a 3-1 record in Group B, Taiwan secured its place in the next stage after a victory over Australia the day before.
Pitcher Huang Tzu-peng (黃子鵬) will start for Taiwan against Cuba, known for his low-sidearm delivery. On Thursday, November 14, Huang pitched six scoreless innings against the Dominican Republic at Taipei's Dome, leading Taiwan to a 2-1 win. Cuba will counter with left-hander Yoennis Yera, who faced Taiwan in the 2015 tournament, allowing one run over 3.2 innings.
This achievement is a historic moment for Taiwan. It marks their first time reaching the semifinals in the tournament's history, surpassing their previous best finish of fifth place. The team now heads to Tokyo for the next round, facing Venezuela, the United States, and Japan starting Thursday, November 21, vying for a spot in the championship game.
The team will also receive cash rewards if they secure the top three spots, with each player and coach receiving NT$7 million, NT$5 million, or NT$3 million for first, second, and third place, respectively.
Fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming matches, hoping Taiwan can continue its winning streak and advance to the finals. As the team gears up for these crucial games, their performance in Tokyo will be closely monitored by supporters and baseball enthusiasts alike.