BASEBALL/President, VP celebrate historic victory by Taiwan’s 'baseball heroes'

Taipei, Nov. 25 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴)  on Sunday lauded Taiwan's national baseball team as "heroes" after their stunning 4-0 victory over Japan in the WBSC Premier12 Championship Game in Tokyo, clinching its first gold medal in a world-class baseball tournament. 

"This marks our first return to the finals of a world-class baseball tournament in 32 years, since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics—and this time, we brought home the world championship," Lai wrote in a Facebook post.  

"Thank you, Taiwan's heroes, for writing history with baseball," Lai said, commending the team's stellar defense and aggressive base running.

​​To celebrate the achievement, Taiwan's military will dispatch fighter jets to escort the players' flight home on Monday, Lai said, adding that he also plans to meet the team at the Presidential Office and host a victory parade for them. 

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) also thanked all the baseball players, coaches, scouting team and supporting staff for their determination and resilience. 

"And thank you to every Taiwanese fan, whether cheering at the stadium or in front of their screens," Hsiao wrote in a Facebook post, noting that the fans' support undoubtedly motivated the players.

Team Taiwan took an early 4-0 lead thanks to two home runs in the top of the fifth inning -- one solo by catcher Lin Chia-cheng (林家正) and another three-run homer by team captain and center fielder Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲) -- against Japanese starter Shosei Togo of the Yomiuri Giants.

Meanwhile, facing the defending champions, Taiwan's starter Lin Yu-min (林昱珉), a 21-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks prospect, cruised through four scoreless innings Sunday night, giving up only one hit, three walks and striking out three.

Taiwan's three relievers were able to contain the Japanese batters for the rest of the game to seal the win.

Taiwan and Japan faced each other three times during the 2024 Premier12 with Taiwan losing both matches before Sunday's game.

Taiwan's triumph on Sunday also ended Japan's 27-game winning streak on the international stage. 

(By Yeh Su-ping and Christie Chen)

Enditem/