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Premier12, First Round, Pool A: Chinese Taipei – Canada 8-9
Canada 001 303 020 9 13 1 Chinese Taipei 020 021 030 8 12 0
It was probably the most thrilling game of the Premier12 so far. In an epic back-and-forth battle at a packed Intercontinental Stadium in Taichung Canada prevailed 9-8 over Chinese Taipei. Canada remains undefeated after three games, solidified first place in Pool A, while the co-host of the even dropped to 1-2.
Chinese Taipei had a head start into the game, taking a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second on a two-run home run by Chun-Hsiu Chen. But Canada was able to turn the score around. Jordan Lennerton cut the deficit in half with a RBI single in the third. Sean Jamieson tied the game with a RBI double in the fourth. Still in the same frame, Lennerton came through again, this time with a two-run double to give #TeamC a 4-2 advantage.
This was just the beginning for an exciting finish to the game. Po-Jung Wang tied the game with a two-run home run in the fifth. Canada answered right away in the top of the sixth, when Lennerton singled home Pete Orr and Brock Kjeldgaard followed two batters later with a two-run double to make it 7-4. CT chipped a run away with a solo home run by Chih-Sheng Lin in the bottom of the frame.
It was still not the end for the slugfest. Canada added insurance runs in the top of the eighth through solo home runs by Tyler O’Neill and Rene Tosoni. They were much needed as Chinese Taipei rallied in the bottom of the inning. Chun-Hsiu Chen with a RBI single and Po-Jung Wang with a two-run double got them within a single run. The rally ended with Tosoni making an incredible catch on a flyball, which got deflected by Tyson Gillies at the wall in center field to make the final out.
Next up for Chinese Taipei will be a game against Cuba on Saturday evening in Taichung, while Canada faces Italy at Dou-Liou. There are no games scheduled for Friday at the Premier12.