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Premier12, First Round, Pool A: Italy – Chinese Taipei 1-7
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Italy suffered its second loss in as many games at the Premier12 in Taiwan. On Wednesday Chinese Taipei defeated the team of manager Marco Mazzieri 7-1 at Intercontinental Stadium in Taichung. It was the first win in two games for the host of the tournament. Four early runs for CT decided the outcome. Italy managed just three hits in the game.
It took just two batters to give Chinese Taipei a 1-0 lead, when Dai-Kang Yang scored in the first on a single by Yen-Wen Kuo and a throwing error. Kuo crossed the plate moments later on a wild pitch. A solo home run by Chih-Sheng Lin and a RBI single by Yang made it 4-0 after four innings.
Italy reached the scoreboard for the only time in the fifth, when Alex Sambucci homered to left center. It was not enough to start a rally. Chun-Hsiu Chen with a two-run single in the seventh and Kuo with a solo home run in the ninth secured the victory for Chinese Taipei.
Luca Panerati got charged with the loss, surrendering six hits, four runs and three walks in 3 2/3 innings. Roberto Corradini, Junior Oberto and Andrea Pizziconi also pitched in the game for Italy. Chun-Lin Kuo struck out ten batters in seven innings of two-hit, one-run ball for the win.
Italy is going to face the Netherlands in a European clash at Dou-Liou Stadium on Thursday evening. Chinese Taipei meanwhile will be back at Intercontinental Stadium for a meeting against Canada.