Yushan Cup: Yang Qijia Guest Coaches Kinmen Pitchers; Xiao Zhongwei Gains Much

(Central News Agency, reporter Xie Jingwen, New Taipei City, 21st) In the Yushan Cup high school baseball tournament, the Kinmen County team lost 2-23 to the Taipei City team in 4 innings (mercy rule) on the 21st, suffering two consecutive losses and elimination. Starting pitcher Xiao Zhongwei pitched 1 inning, allowing 7 runs and taking the loss, but contributed 1 hit and 1 RBI at the plate. He mentioned that guest pitching coach Yang Qijia provided many helpful suggestions on pitching.

In the 115th Yushan Cup, the Kinmen County team lost their first game to Taoyuan City. Facing Taipei City today, in the bottom of the 1st inning, Hong Jiaen reached base on an error and stole second. With two outs, he was hit by a pitch, and Xiao Zhongwei followed with an RBI single to give Kinmen a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the 4th, they added another run via a hit-by-pitch, a groundout, and a single.

Taipei City scored 7 runs in the top of the 1st and 16 runs in the 2nd inning. After 4 innings, the score differential exceeded 15 runs, triggering the mercy rule and ending the game.

Xiao Zhongwei, a sophomore, was making his Yushan Cup debut. He felt the opponents were very strong. Before the first game against powerhouse Taoyuan, the coaching staff encouraged him to "play happily and don't put pressure on yourself." His personal goal for the tournament was to get one hit, and he was happy to achieve it by swinging at the first good pitch he saw.

The Kinmen coaching staff includes former professional baseball player Yang Qijia as a guest pitching coach. Xiao said Yang has given him many tips on mechanics, release point, and power application, which have led to significant improvement. However, he still prefers hitting.

Kinmen head coach Huang Guowei said the team deliberated for a long time before deciding to participate in the Yushan Cup. The decision was finalized after E.SUN Bank and the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association donated baseball equipment to Kinmen at the end of last year. He expressed gratitude for their support of baseball in Kinmen.

Eliminated with two losses, Coach Huang admitted that the team only brought 11 players, had limited resources, and faced the pressure of pitching restrictions in every game. (Editor: Liang Jundi) 1150612