TAIWAN BASEBALL BRIDGES FRIENDSHIP WITH GUAM’S CHIEFS

Guam baseball hosted a squad from Taiwan Monday afternoon in a friendship doubleheader at the Guam Sports Complex in Harmon.

Taiwan TIBIDA (Taiwan International Baseball Interchange Development Association) is the same group that trained Team Palau earlier this year. Palau went on to win the gold medal as hosts of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games.

The Guam Sumay Chiefs, headed by RJ Escalona, worked the last few months in planning to get the Taiwanese team to Guam and set up the doubleheader.

Dion Sadao from the Chiefs hit two home runs during the two games.

According to Escalona, the Chiefs have been invited to participate in a international tournament in Taiwan in 2026

GAME 1 RECAP

It came down to the wire on Monday at Dededo Sports Complex, as Guam Chiefs grabbed the victory in walk-off fashion, 9-8, over Taiwan TIBIDA. The game was tied at eight in the bottom of the seventh when Dion Sadao doubled, scoring the walk-off run.

Dion Sadao drove in five runners in the win. The second baseman went 5-5 on the day.

Guam Chiefs got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Joseph Epler walked, and Xavier Escalona was struck by a pitch, each scoring one run.

Taiwan TIBIDA jumped into the lead in the top of the second when an error scored one run, Laurenz Perez doubled, scoring one run, and Liu homered, scoring two runs.

Guam Chiefs tied the game in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a home run by Sadao, and a single by RJ Escalona.

A wild pitch gave Taiwan TIBIDA the lead, 8-7, in the top of the seventh.

Guam Chiefs captured the lead, 9-8, in the bottom of the seventh when Olkeriil Ise singled, scoring one run, and Sadao doubled, scoring the walk-off run.

Guam Chiefs collected 15 hits in the game. Ise, X.Escalona, and R.Escalona each collected multiple hits for Guam Chiefs. Ise and Sadao each stole multiple bases for Guam Chiefs. Guam Chiefs ran wild on the base paths, piling up five stolen bases for the game.

Taiwan TIBIDA collected 12 hits in the game. Liu led Taiwan TIBIDA with four hits in four at bats from the leadoff position. Perez collected three hits for Taiwan TIBIDA in three at bats.

GAME 2 RECAP

Guam Chiefs and Taiwan TIBIDA tied 7-7.

Guam Chiefs got on the board in the top of the first inning after Olkeriil Ise stole home, and Jacob Marahay singled, each scoring one run.

Wang hit a sacrifice fly, which helped Taiwan TIBIDA tie the game at two in the bottom of the first.

In the top of the second, Guam Chiefs broke up the tie when Shane Muna drew a walk, scoring one run. Then a double play followed to extend the lead to 4-2.

Taiwan TIBIDA tied the game in the bottom of the second thanks to a dropped third strike, and a single by Liu.

A sacrifice fly by Rollen Rabago gave Guam Chiefs the lead, 5-4, in the top of the third.

Two more Guam Chiefs runs crossed the plate in the fourth inning to extend the lead to 7-4. Sadao hit a solo home run, and Rabago singled, scoring one run.

Taiwan TIBIDA tied the game in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a wild pitch, a single by Liu, and a single by Liao.

Epler started on the bump for Guam Chiefs. The pitcher gave up four hits and seven runs (five earned) over three and one-third innings, striking out eight and walking three.

Guam Chiefs piled up 11 hits in the game. Rabago led Guam Chiefs with two runs batted in. The catcher went 1-for-1 on the day. Epler led Guam Chiefs with three hits in three at bats. Chace Benefield collected two hits for Guam Chiefs in three at bats. Guam Chiefs had a strong eye at the plate, accumulating seven walks for the game. Sadao and Victor Mendiola led the team with two bases on balls each. Ise and Mendiola each stole multiple bases for Guam Chiefs. Guam Chiefs stole eight bases in the game.

Leadoff hitter Liu led Taiwan TIBIDA with three hits in four at bats. Liao collected two hits for Taiwan TIBIDA in three at bats. Taiwan TIBIDA turned one double play in the game.

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