Chinese Taipei is moving on to the Little League World Series Championship thanks to a dominant performance from breakout pitcher Lai Cheng-Xi.
Cheng-Xi was surgical in the LLWS International Championship, carving up Venezuela’s offense to throw a shutout in Chinese Taipei’s commanding 4-1 win.
The right-handed pitcher has been a stud for the Asia-Pacific Region representatives all tournament. Get to know the Little League star below.
MORE: Chinese Taipei defeats Venezuela in 2024 LLWS International Championship
Lai Cheng-Xi stats vs. Venezuela in Little League World Series International Championship
- 5.2 innings pitched
- 1 earned run
- 12 strikeouts
- 3 hits
- 1 walk
Who is Lai Cheng-Xi?
Cheng-Xi is from Taoyuan City, Chinese Taipei, representing Kuei-Shan Little League at the 2024 Little League World Series.
He has been the most untouchable pitcher in the tournament, racking up a Little League World Series-best 31 strikeouts going into the championship game. He is right-handed and his fastball tops out in the mid-70s.
Cheng-Xi is Chinese Taipei’s ace, getting the start in its first game against Canada. He threw 4.2 perfect innings and 10 strikeouts in that contest, coming just four outs shy of the eighth perfect game in Little League World Series history.
His second outing came in relief, recording four strikeouts and just one hit with zero walks or earned runs in 1.2 innings against Cuba.
Cheng-Xi started in the semifinal game against Japan but had his pitch count limited so he would be available for the International Championship. He remained lights out with five strikeouts, one hit, two walks and zero earned runs through 2.1 innings pitched.
After throwing 87 pitches in the win over Venezuela, Cheng-Xi will not be available to take the mound in the Little League World Series Championship.
He will end the tournament with an immaculate stat line of 31 strikeouts, five hits, three walks and one (!) earned run in 14.1 innings pitched.
Remember the name: Lai Cheng-Xi.
