Soua Xong

Soua Xong

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 6", Weight 141 lb.

• Born November 27, 1995 in Saysomboun Province Laos

Biographical Information

Soua Xong was a member of the first Laotian national team, at the 2018 Asian Games.

In Laos's international debut, he started at first base against Thailand, batting fifth. Batting against Siraphop Nadee in the 2nd, he reached on a Phoomwut Wutthikorn error. He lined out against Adichat Wongvichit in the 4th. In the 5th, he moved to the mound, relieving Cola Phouangkeo with a 12-0 deficit. He struck out Kevin Kawin Irwin but Thanabordee Panyimphakakul reached on an error, as did Sanyalak Pitpatpinyo. Sakai Phraechai hit into a force, then Xong threw a wild pitch to score one run. Arkaradech Jitpong singled in another run, then Alexander Clark singled but Paramutt Meepakdee hit into an inning-ending force. In the 6th, Joe Daru tripled and Nirawit Bunnam singled him in to make it a 15-0 mercy rule rout, ending the game. With 3 runs and one earned run in one inning, he was Laos's top hurler of the day.

The next day, he started at first and again relieved Phouangkeo, this time down 4-2 in the 2nd with one on and one out. He got Amila Pushpa Kumara Galbokka Hewage to hit into a force, threw a wild pitch and gave up a RBI single to Sandun Madushanka. Sameera Rathnayake grounded out to end the inning. Laos pulled within a run, 5-4, then Xong had a shutout 4th, the first shutout inning in Laotian team history. He got Iresh Kosala on a fly and Saliya Wijesinghe on a grounder. After a walk to Hena Kanakanamge Kasthuri Akala Ranasinghe, Nelanka Karunarathna hit into a force. In the 4th, he retired Sahan Avishka but Charith Krishna Hapuarachchige Don and Galbokka both singled. Phithak Hopkhop relieved, Xong returning to first base. One inherited runner would score. Down 9-4 in the 5th, though, he switched positions with Hopkhop. He would work the final five innings and finish with 7 IP over his two mound stints that day, with 10 hits, 3 walks, 6 runs (3 earned) and one whiff (of Kosala). He again was the best of the Laotian hurlers. At the plate, he went 2 for 5 with a run, doubling off Sasika Dulshan for the first double in Laotian team history.

For the 2018 Asian Games' preliminary round, he was easily Laos's top hurler (0-0, 4.50) as Phouangkeo was at 0-1, 21.60 and Hopkhop at 0-1, 30.38. For that round, he was 3rd in ERA among all qualifiers (behind Nadee and Phanuwat Sukmuang), 1st in IP (2 ahead of Karunarathna and Madumal Ponna Handi Tharidu) but only 3rd in runs allowed and tied for 5th in earned runs allowed.