Taiwan, which had failed to score a single run in the previous two games, changed the mood by scoring two runs from the first inning against the Czech Republic.
The Taiwan national baseball team, led by manager Cheng Hao-chu, will play its third group game in Pool C of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) against the Czech Republic on the 7th at Tokyo Dome in Japan.
Taiwan suffered a 0-3 defeat to Australia and was also beaten 0-13 by Japan via the mercy rule, making the road to the second round difficult. Above all, the lineup failed to produce. Taiwan went scoreless over 16 innings in two games and managed only four hits in total.
The starting lineup that day was Cheng Jung-che (second base), Sung Cheng-lui (center field), Stuart Fairchild (designated hitter), Chang Yu-cheng (third base), Lin An-kai (right field), Chi Li-chih-lao (first base), Lin Tsa-cheng (catcher), Chang Kun-yu (shortstop) and Chen Chen-wei (left field), with Chuang Chen-chung starting on the mound.
Struggling with empty bats until then, Taiwan came out with a well-crafted plan against the Czech Republic. Facing Czech pitcher Jan Novak, Taiwan's leadoff hitter Cheng Jung-che reached base with a surprise bunt to start, Sung Cheng-lui struck out, but Stuart Fairchild followed with a bunt single to create a 1 out, runners on first and second opportunity.
Then Cheng Jung-che, who was on second, made an aggressive baserunning play heading for third; the Czech team hurried a pickoff attempt, but the ball escaped at third base and Cheng Jung-che scored, giving Taiwan the first run in an instant.
On the continued chance, Chang Yu-cheng delivered a run-scoring single to left, bringing Fairchild home from third to make it 2-0. With two outs and a runner on second after a grounder by Lin An-kai, the first inning ended when Chi Li-chih-lao struck out.
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