Yushan Cup Youth Baseball: Chi Cheng-Hsuan Leads Tainan to Semifinals, Set to Challenge New Taipei

(CNA reporter Hsieh Ching-wen, New Taipei City, June 17) In the Yushan Cup youth baseball tournament, Tainan City faced off against Hualien County. Thanks to starting submariner pitcher Chi Cheng-Hsuan's five scoreless innings, Tainan secured a 4-0 victory. The game was called after five innings due to rain, advancing Tainan to the semifinals, where they will challenge the tournament favorite, New Taipei City.

In the 115th Yushan Cup youth baseball tournament, Tainan City took on Hualien County. In the bottom of the first inning, Tainan opened the scoring with Chang Chung-kai's triple, followed by Hsu Ko-chieh's sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the third, Tainan added another run via a walk, an error, and an RBI single by Chi Yu-chieh.

In the bottom of the fourth, Tainan extended their lead with another offensive push. Chang Chung-kai delivered a timely hit, driving in two insurance runs. The game was suspended in the top of the sixth due to rain, which showed no sign of letting up. Ultimately, Tainan was awarded the win after five innings.

Starting submariner pitcher Chi Cheng-Hsuan pitched five innings, allowing just one hit, two walks, and recording two strikeouts, while not giving up any runs—earning the win with a strong performance.

Tainan head coach Tien Chia-ming explained that Chi hadn't pitched earlier due to opponents featuring many left-handed batters. However, pre-scouting revealed Hualien's lineup was predominantly right-handed, so they deployed the submariner to exploit his low release point, rising inside pitches, and slow-breaking sliders that move away—making it difficult for batters to adjust.

Reaching the semifinals, Tien said it fulfilled their first-stage goal. Facing tougher opponents ahead, they will approach the next game with a challenger's mindset, aiming to dethrone the 'giant' New Taipei. Tainan will face New Taipei in the semifinals, and Tien encouraged his players, saying making the top four is already a perfect achievement—now they’ll see how much further they can go.

Tien also expressed gratitude to the Tainan City Sports Bureau for their support. He noted that funding for away games is always a challenge, and thanked Li-chang Fu, the head of Jianping Village in Anping District, for facilitating financial support from the Anping Kaitai Tianhou Temple, as well as Councilor Lu Kun-fu of Anping District for assistance, ensuring players could compete without worries. (Editor: Lee Hsi-chang) 1150617