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It was not flawless, but for Taiwan, it was a victory that felt nearly perfect. In a dazzling display of skill and composure, Taiwan defeated Nevada 7-0 in the Little League World Series championship on Sunday, breaking a 29-year drought and reclaiming a title they last held in 1996.
Lin Chin-Tse, a 12-year-old pitcher from Taipei, was the undisputed star of the final. Standing just 5-foot-8, Lin retired the first 13 batters he faced and allowed only one hit in five innings. He paired his dominance on the mound with a bat as fiery as his arm, smashing a three-run triple in the fifth inning to push Taiwan's lead beyond Nevada's reach. His fastball, clocked at over 80 mph, looked even faster given the shortened distance to home plate in Little League play, leaving batters with little chance to adjust.
For the Taiwanese, who boast 18 LLWS titles—more than any other nation outside the United States—this win was historic in its own right. It reignited memories of their dominance in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when they won five consecutive championships. When Chen Yi-Reng caught the game-ending fly ball, the team's gloves soared skyward in unison, a moment that symbolized years of waiting finally coming to an end.
Manager Lai Min-Nan praised the victory as a product of discipline and defense. "If the other team cannot get any runs, there's no way they can win this tournament," he said, noting that Taiwan allowed only three runs across the entire competition, all against Venezuela.
Nevada, making its first championship appearance, fought valiantly but faltered at crucial moments. Four wild pitches and a throwing error opened the door for Taiwan to score early runs, with Chen Shi-Rong and Jian Zih-De capitalizing on the mistakes. Even Nevada's lone hit, a single by Garrett Gallegos, was swiftly neutralized by a double play.
While Nevada's manager T.J. Fescher assured his players that they would be "heroes upon arrival in Las Vegas," the evening belonged firmly to Taiwan. As the young players celebrated in Williamsport, they did more than secure a trophy. They restored Taiwan's baseball legacy, proving once again that their brand of disciplined and electric play remains among the finest in the world.
