Chiao Yun Huang leads Chinese Taipei to first win
Starting pitcher Chiao Yun Huang threw five solid innings, allowing only one unearned run, and contributed from the cleanup spot with two hits, two runs scored, and two RBIs as World No. 2 Chinese Taipei defeated No. 7 Cuba, 9-1, in the opening of the IX WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group B.
Cuba scored first. Jessica Herrera reached on a fielding error, and left fielder Yusnavi Bonne got to starter Chiao Yun Huang with a double to centre field.
It would be the only run allowed by starting pitcher Chiao Yun Huang, who pitched five innings for the win.
Shortstop Yu Ying Hsieh led off the bottom half of the frame with a triple against Dianelis Porro. Catcher Shih Yun Lee followed with an RBI single to tie the game. A second run scored as Chiao Yun Huang doubled to left field.
Centre fielder Hisao Mein Chen tripled to lead off the bottom of the third. Yi Jin Hua hit a two-out RBI single to the gap in left centre to extend the Chinese Taipei lead to 3-1.
Chinese Taipei opened the score in the bottom of the fourth. Chia Hui Yang doubled to left field. Porro got the first out on strikes, then loaded the bases as she hit a batter and walked another.
One run scored on a groundout. Cuba handed the ball to Isabel Gonzalez, who balked to walk in the fifth run. Chiao Yun Huang singled and made it 6-1.
Cuba gave the call to Yoannet Dominguez, their third pitcher. ChiaYu Lin worked the count to seven pitches and singled on the eighth to add the seventh run.
Chinese Taipei added a couple of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Chi Fen Chen and Chi Jung Chen took care of the final six outs.
On Thursday, Chinese Taipei will face No. 5 Venezuela in the morning game. Cuba will play Puerto Rico in the afternoon.