WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL C - CHINESE TAIPEI VS CZECHIA

March 7, 2026

Hai-Jiu Tseng

Stuart Fairchild

Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang

Tokyo Dome

Team Chinese Taipei

Postgame Press Conference

Chinese Taipei 14, Czech Republic 0

Q. In the first inning, you used a bunt attempt.

HAI-JUI TSENG: First of all I'd like to thank you very much for supporting us, all the fans in Taiwan, all the fans in the stands. This was a must-win game and we won. In the previous two games, our offense was kind of struggling. So before the game started, we thought we should go back with the fundamentals, and I asking all the players what to do, what's the best approach to do, and that's the result.

Q. Do you feel that you are a hero?

STUART FAIRCHILD: Honestly after yesterday when I thought I hit the homer, you know, I was thinking about it a lot. And today, I just tried to flush it and realize it's a new day. Not dwell on the past. And show up today to help the team win. That was my priority. It was to not think about myself but rather the team and do what I can today to help the team win.

Q. What do you think of the fans, and is this what you expected before you came to the tournament?

STUART FAIRCHILD: The fans have been incredible. They have traveled in droves. It feels like every game we played, even against I can't pan, it was even, almost, is what it felt like with the amount of fans that showed up and just giving us support and energy, and we really appreciate all their love, and yeah, even though the first couple games didn't go the way we wanted it to, they still came today and showed us nothing but support.

Q. Today, in the third inning, switched pitchers in the mid innings. What was the point?

HAI-JUI TSENG: Our starting pitcher was Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang and he pitched as a solid starting pitcher. He went two and two-thirds, and at the same time, our offense stored first. So we have that lead early in the game and then we had the momentum of the game.

Regarding the second pitcher that, was our plan previously. And as a result, we won very important games. So we will prepare for tomorrow's game.

Q. Yesterday you played a deep night game, starting after seven, and today you had an afternoon game. Did you recall any tiredness, or how did you maintain your body?

STUART FAIRCHILD: Yeah, I felt a little tired to be honest, quick turnaround from the late game yesterday to an early one today. But got as much sleep as I could and drank a bunch of coffee, so we were ready to go.

Q. As a starter, how do you evaluate yourself? In the first inning, you tipped your hat like ABS system requesting, I think during the Minor League competitions, they had the ABS system but not in the WBC.

CHEN ZHONG-AO ZHUANG: Yes, my first innings, I tipped my cap. It meant I was asking for the ABS. After that inning, I realized, WBC does not have ABS system.

Q. How do you evaluate your pitching as a starter?

CHEN ZHONG-AO ZHUANG: .

HAI-JUI TSENG: Well, yes, we were 0-2 and my role is -- the key for my role is just win this game, and we did. And all of my teammates feel responsible and very strongly to do what everyone can do, and that's why my teammate sitting next to me hit a Grand Slam, and I'm thankful very much.

Q. You have a must-win match against Korea, and what are your thoughts about that team, and can you announce the starting pitcher for tomorrow's game?

HAI-JUI TSENG: Tomorrow's game is also elimination game. We have to win to stay positive. So all of our roster is available. We have a game plan already, and we decide who is going to be our starting pitcher, and we have a plan. And I am expecting all of my players to be prepared well for tomorrow's game. Today's game, we prepared well and we played well, so I am expecting all of my players to do the same thing for tomorrow.