Taiwan Defeats Saudi Arabia in Little League Opener

Wang Pei-Ching threw a two-hitter and hit a bases-empty home run to lead Hua Lian, Taiwan, to a 7-0 victory over Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday in the opening game of the 1987 Little League World Series.

In the second game, Brad Ash threw a three-hitter and Rich Hudleston hit a home run to give U.S. Central champion Chesterfield, Ind., a 4-1 victory over U.S. South champion Morristown, Tenn.

Taiwan is trying to become the 17th Far East team to win the Little League title in 21 years. Semifinals are Thursday, with the championship game Saturday.

Curtis Isminger got Saudi Arabia’s first hit with a bunt single in the fifth inning.

After Isminger was caught stealing, Saudi Arabia loaded the bases on a hit batter, a walk and Paul McGary’s single, but Chris Sinclair struck out to end the inning.

Pei-Ching, who struck out 11 and walked two, hit a home run over the 204-foot mark in the fifth for Taiwan’s third run.

Chu Chi-Chang added a two-run home run in the sixth for Taiwan.

Saudi Arabia, composed almost entirely of sons of American oil workers, represented Europe in the eight-team, single-elimination tournament.

Ash struck out 10 and walked five for Chesterfield. Hudleston hit an opposite-field homer to right in the second inning for U.S. Central’s first run.

Chesterfield added three more runs in the third inning on David Cook’s RBI single, two walks and five wild pitches by Todd Morie.

Morristown scored in the fourth when Casey Kyle walked with one out, went to second on a passed ball and scored when right fielder Scott Waldbridge held the ball after Chad Blair singled.

Morie, who took the loss, allowed only two hits in 3 innings but walked five and threw six wild pitches.