Hosts Chinese Taipei bounced back from a surprising defeat to Spain with an important 9-1 victory over South Africa. The reigning Premier12 champions looked far more comfortable than in their shaky showing the previous day, improving to 1-1 in the Taipei Pool of the 2026 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers. South Africa is now 0-2.
In its opening game, Chinese Taipei, ranked No. 2 in the world by the WBSC, was unexpectedly routed by No. 24 ranked Spain, 12-5. Earlier in the day, No. 31 South Africa put up a strong fight against No. 16 Nicaragua but fell in extra innings. Both teams knew a loss today would be detrimental to its qualification hopes.
21-year-old Athletics prospect Tzu-Chen Sha was in cruise control for Chinese Taipei, allowing just one base runner through 2.2 innings, but was forced to exit the game with an apparent calf injury.
Tzu-Chen Sha is firing on all cylinders ????
6 up, 6 down to start things for Team Chinese Taipei! pic.twitter.com/r6GMatZvwu
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 22, 2025
Twenty-seven-year-old Damon King got the start for South Africa, keeping Chinese Taipei’s hitters off balance early on with a heavy dose of off-speed pitches. But the Taiwanese lineup broke through in the top of the third inning, putting runners on second and third, and then cashing in both runs off reliever Dean Jacobs with an RBI groundout by Nien-ting Wu and an RBI single by Wun-jie Chen.
Nien-Ting Wu and Wun-Jie Chen drive in runs to give Team Chinese Taipei its first lead of the #WorldBaseballClassic qualifiers! pic.twitter.com/t34XkuAtar
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 22, 2025
Chinese Taipei doubled its lead in the fourth after a bases-loaded wild pitch and RBI groundout by 2024 Premier12 MVP Chieh-Hsien Chen.
Team Chinese Taipei doubles its lead in the 4th.
Watch live:
World Baseball Classic Facebook and YouTubehttps://t.co/4x0YxKHwPJ pic.twitter.com/0XNCdlyHRr— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 22, 2025
Tyler Smith, who plays in the Czech Republic, picked up South Africa’s first hit in the bottom half of the inning, and his brother Brandon drove him in to make it 4-1.
BASEBALL IS THE BEST!
Brandon Smith drives in his BROTHER Tyler Smith in the #WorldBaseballClassic qualifiers ???? pic.twitter.com/JEIS88jKhx
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 22, 2025
Cheng-jui Sung made it 5-1 in the sixth on an inside-the-park homer after right fielder Brandon Bouillon came up short on a diving effort. They scored two more runs in the seventh before a Tsung-hsien Lee solo shot in the ninth brought the score to 9-1.
Four pitchers finished the rest of the game for Chinese Taipei, with Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Po-yu Chen pitching the bulk of the innings.
INSIDE-THE-PARK HOME RUN FOR CHENG-JUI SUNG ???? pic.twitter.com/xkdYNLcEuq
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 22, 2025
Chinese Taipei had traffic on the bases all night with 14 hits and eight walks, though they went just 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position. South Africa’s lineup began to show signs of life from the fourth inning onward, collecting eight hits. They’ll be hoping that production translates into more runs tomorrow.
Chinese Taipei will take on undefeated Nicaragua in its final pool game tomorrow, while South Africa faces 1-1 Spain in a must-win matchup.
The first-place team in the Taipei Pool will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, while the second and third-place sides will compete in a playoff on Tuesday to determine the other qualification spot.
All WBC Qualifier games will be streamed live on the World Baseball Classic website, as well as on its Facebook page, MLB.TV, and YouTube channel, with coverage continuing through the final out of the second qualifier in Tucson, Arizona, on March 6.
