Chinese Taipei rallied with two out in the seventh to tie the game, then beat Palmview in extra innings. Washington County jumped on Bronx, NY, scoring eight run in the first on the way to a run-rule win, eliminating the East Zone champions. In the Division Finals, the two unbeaten teams had enough to avoid “if necessary” games and moved right to the championship. We’ll have every game live on WJPA-AM (1450) and online. Listen Here!
Tuesday
Elimination Bracket
Chinese Taipei 4, Palmview, TX 3, 9 inn.
The Asia-Pacific champions didn’t get a hit until after the game should have been over, but an error extended the seventh inning. Chinese Taipei took full advantage, getting the game to extra innings and scratching across an unearned run in the ninth to win it. Palmview stranded six runners in the game and had three others retired unforced on the bases. Winning pitcher Wu, Chieh-Jui worked 4.2 innings, allowing two runs, but set down seven of the last 8 batters he faced down the stretch.
Washington County 19, Bronx, NY 9, 5 inn.
Bryan Schmeltz homered twice including a two-run shot in the bottom of the first that set the tone for the run-rule win over the East Zone champions. Washington County set 11 batters to the plate in the first frame, scoring eight runs. The hosts then added four in the second to lead 12-0. Bronx took advantage of a pair of Washington errors in the third to score five times, a number the locals matched in the bottom of the inning. Schmeltz hit his second home run in the fourth, followed by a triple for Owen Samogala who scored on a wild pitch. Bronx got to within 10 in the fifth but couldn’t extend the game.
Division Finals
Guaynabo, PR 10, Chinese Taipei 3
The teams went scoreless through the first two innings, then the Caribbean champions exploded for nine runs, cashing in on five C-T errors. Dylan Padilla stroked a two-run double in the frame. Akilis Rivera and winning pitcher Johniel Miranda added RBI singles. Carlos Arroyo had two doubles in the game, giving Puerto Rico its first finals appearance since Trujillo Alto won the 2007 championship.
Tijuana, Mex. 10, Washington County, PA 8, 8 inn.
Tijuana built a 6-0 lead through the top of the fifth while the Washington County bats were nearly silent. That changed in the bottom of the fifth, thanks in part to a booted one-out ground ball. The Host team took advantage of the extra out, scoring four times including Bryan Schmeltz’ three-run home run, his third home run of the day. Washington County took an 8-6 lead in the sixth, using four singles and a pair of walks to go in front. Tijuana plated two unearned runs in the top of the seventh, then scored the winning runs in the top of the eighth. Washington County got the first two batters on in the bottom of the inning but back-to-back force plays and a flyout ended the threat and the game. Tijuana is hoping to win just the second PONY World Series title for Mexico, the last coming in 1972 when Monterrey beat Honolulu, HI.