Huanan Youth Baseball: Lan Yi-ren Shines in Pitching and Hitting, Yilan Beats Taipei to Reach Final 4

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 29. In the loser's bracket of the Huanan youth baseball tournament, Yilan County faced last year's champion, Taipei City, today. Jiang Yun-hao pitched four strong innings as a starter, and Lan Yi-ren provided stable relief for two innings and contributed two hits and two RBIs, leading the team to a 3-0 victory and a spot in the final four. In the 2025 Huanan Financial Cup National Youth Baseball Tournament, Yilan County faced Taipei City today. Both teams were scoreless for the first three innings. In the bottom of the fourth, Yilan County took advantage of the opponent's unstable pitching, scoring two runs on consecutive walks and a timely double by Lan Yi-ren, followed by an insurance run due to consecutive walks and a balk. Yilan County pitcher Jiang Yun-hao showed dominance as a starter, throwing 84 pitches over four innings, allowing four hits, striking out five, walking three, and allowing no runs, with a top speed of 114 km/h. Lan Yi-ren took the mound in the second half of the game, pitching two innings, allowing one hit, striking out one, and allowing no runs to earn the save. He also contributed at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two RBIs, becoming one of the heroes of the victory. Lan Yi-ren, from Hanxi Elementary School, said he was nervous in the last inning but followed the coach's instructions to throw accurately. Lan is participating in the national team selection for the first time and has confidence in his hitting. Yilan County manager Wang Gan-wei praised Lan, saying, 'He is usually unstable with his control, but he was able to enjoy the game with a straight face even with the bases loaded.' Winning pitcher Jiang Yun-hao was also praised by Wang as a 'big talent' among the sixth graders this year. Wang said, 'The team formation this year was not smooth, but the elite strategy worked. This David-versus-Goliath game proved our strength despite outside doubts. Yilan County returns to the final four for the first time in nine years.'