Lin Ying-Hsin went the distance and led Chinese Taipei to a pivotal victory over China, 9-3, in the first game of the WBSC Softball Asia/Oceania Qualifier Super Round.  China jumped ahead in the first episode, but couldn’t hold the lead.

In the top of the first inning, Luang Lan issued back to back walks after two quick outs. But then escaped the jam with a hard drop ball in the inside corner to strike out Yang Yi-Ting.

For Chinese Taipei, starter Lin Ying-Hsin also retired the first two opponents she faced. However, China put together a two-out rally to jump ahead. Third baseman Lu Ying started the rally with a double to center field on a changeup that stayed too high in the zone. Designated player Ren Min doubled her in with a single to the left-field line, and then she scored herself with a bloop single behind second base by Xi Kai Lin.

Chinese Taipei takes a 2-run lead!!! ???#RoadToTokyo #Softball pic.twitter.com/NwcrJ0A4Yu

— WBSC Softball #RoadToTokyo (@WBSCsoftball) September 27, 2019

With a two-run lead, Lan kept her opponents scoreless for four innings. But in the fifth, Chinese Taipei came from behind and took the lead. With runner and first and two outs, Chinese Taipei singled five consecutive times to make it 4-2. Chen Chia-Yi tied the game with an RBI single to the right side of the field, and then Yang Yi-Ting hit a go-ahead two-RBI single through the middle giving Chinese Taipei the lead.

Chinese Taipei added one in the sixth with an RBI single by SuYi-Hsuan, while China answered with one in the home half of the same inning with the second double of the game by Lu Ying.

However, in the top of the seventh Chinese Taipei again scored four runs on five singles, to seal the game.

Lin Ying-Hsin went the distance and won the game for Chinese Taipei. The right-hander allowed three runs and five hits and fanned nine Chinese hitters. The loss was charged to Lan who pitched 6.1 innings and allowed 13 hits and 9 runs.

“We went into the game confident of a win because the players were all psyched to do well. Anyway, matches against China always brings the best out of our players,” said Yang Shien-Ming, Chinese Taipei Head Coach. “Today, they were exceptional and rose to the occasion. Despite trailing early, they kept their composure and made use of opportunities that came my way. We ourselves played well especially hitting the ball well”.

China’s Head Coach Corey Myers said: “We started the game according to our plans and went ahead with two runs. But we made a couple of mistakes and opened the door for Chinese Taipei. They made use of the opportunity and played well to pull away”.

Tomorrow, China will face Australia at 12:00, while Chinese Taipei will play against the Philippines.

WBSC Asia/Oceania Qualifier | How To Watch