Taitung Gets 'Revenge' to Beat Taoyuan for Third Place in Hwa Nan Junior Baseball Tournament

(CNA, New Taipei, June 7, by reporter Hsieh Ching-wen) In a battle for third place at the Hwa Nan Junior Baseball Tournament, Taitung County found its 'revenge' today against Taoyuan City. Capitalizing on multiple defensive issues by their opponents in the bottom of the fourth, Taitung scored 6 runs in the inning to establish a decisive lead, ultimately winning 6-1 to secure third place. Head coach Ou Hung-chi encouraged his players to give it their all in the final game for the national team selectors to see.

The 2026 Hwa Nan Financial Holdings Cup National Junior Baseball Tournament serves as the selection trial for this year's U15 Baseball World Cup national team. Taitung County, having lost to New Taipei City in the semifinals yesterday, faced Taoyuan City today for third place. Taitung had previously lost to Taoyuan in the preliminary round, leading Coach Ou to laugh and say, "Today is about getting our revenge."

Neither team scored in the first three innings. In the bottom of the fourth, Taitung County took advantage of Taoyuan's defensive struggles, using 5 hits and 4 errors by their opponents to bat around, scoring 6 runs and cementing their lead.

Taoyuan City's offense was stifled for the first five innings. They managed to score one run in the top of the sixth via a walk, a hit-by-pitch, a single, and a groundout, but the rally did not continue, and they accepted the loss.

Taitung County used a total of six pitchers. Relief pitcher Chiu Fei-liang threw 2 innings, allowing only one hit while recording 2 strikeouts and 1 walk, earning the win without giving up a run.

During their lineup introduction today, the Taitung County team imitated NBA star LeBron James's signature powder toss ritual and also had a celebratory gesture after the game to boost morale.

Taitung County's head coach Ou Hung-chi stated they had anticipated Taoyuan would start pitcher Liu Yu-an. He encouraged his players, saying, "In this final game, do what you're supposed to do, show your skills to the junior national team selection committee. We rotated our ninth-grade pitchers onto the mound. By winning through teamwork and showing what you can do, opportunities will come your way."

Taitung's captain, Lin En, is a talented two-way player. He can pitch up to 135 km/h, with a slider as his weapon and a decent changeup. At the plate, he has long-ball power with high on-base and contact rates. He had been in a slump during this tournament but finally broke out in the third-place game with a key 2-RBI single and a stolen base. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 20260607