By R. L. Harvey

Trying to stop a United States five-game championship streak the Chinese team led Lake Mary, Florida 1-0 after Hu Yen-Chun’s singled to put Chinese Taipei in front until the last inning of regulation. Florida’s pitcher, lefty Jacob Bibaud, struggled early but settled down until the 4th inning when he was relieved by Lathan Norton, who finished the game.

Florida gave themselves several opportunities to score but the Taipei defense and pitching found ways to get out of several jams.

In the bottom of the 6th inning the leadoff batter was hit by pitch. A walk to the cleanup hitter put runners at first and second. But the Florida offense sputtered on a controversial strike call and by great pitching from the Taipei reliever until D. J. Mieses drove a ball to left center with two outs to tie the game up at 1.

Extra innings were in store for the third extra-inning championship game since 2007, in a game that neither team should have to lose. In the top of the 7th Taipei puts two runners on with back-to-back singles. After a mound visit, Norton, stating to his coach, “I’m going to get us out of this,”battled the Chinese cleanup hitter to a pop-out to the catcher Landon Bono. J. J. Feleciano then caught a foul pop up at third to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 7th Luis Calo walked with one out. Chiu Wei-Che picks up his sixth strikeout before Christopher Chikodroff sends a double into the left field corner to put runners at second and third with two outs. Chiu Wei-Che picked up strikeout number seven as Lathan Norton goes down swinging.

After the first extra inning, a runner is then placed in second base each inning afterward. Both teams show nerves of steel as they begin the 8th. Norton strikes out Lin Sheng-Kai for the first out on three straight fastballs. Lai Cheng-Xi grounds out to short as Florida holds the runner at second base. Norton forces a fly out to left to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 8th, Lake Mary wins Florida’s first championship and the sixth straight USA championship as Hunter Alexander lays down a perfect bunt and the Taipei pitcher threw the ball to an empty base into right field as the second baseman didn’t cover first. Florida wins it 2-1.

Congratulations to Team USA. Lake Mary, Florida baseball. The Chinese Taipei team has nothing to hang their heads about.

It’s now time for these boys to go back to school. Until next year.