(Press Release; WBSC-AMERICAS).- After more than a week of play in the U23 qualifier, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba and México will be traveling to the World Cup in Taipei.
But before it was all said and done, a new champion had to be crowned, and the podium had to be set on the final day of play in which the four participants of the World Cup clashed for the medals.
First it was a duel for the bronze, and Nicaragua bested Venezuela 4-3 to beat the defending World Champions for the second time in this tournament to stay in the podium of the event.
Nicaragua scored three to open the game, but by the third inning it was Venezuela who had tied the game. A top of the seventh inning single by José Orozco that scored Randy Meléndez was enough to take the win.
Orozco went 2-3 with a run and an RBI plus two stolen bases. Elián Miranda hit 1-3 with a run scored and two other stolen bases. Álvaro Amador came away with the save pitching one third of an inning. Victory went to Kevin Solis in 1.1 innings of relief with four strikeouts and no runs allowed.
México ended their tournament at home undefeated as they shutout Cuba 4-0 to earn the gold medal and the championship. They certainly showed they had no match in the event.
Carlos Pacheco went 2-4 with a run batted in, Javier Sánchez hit 1-3 with one scored and another driven in. Jordan Suarez pitched 5.1 innings of shutout ball, with two hits, one walk and two strikeouts for the victory.
México, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela will meet again in Taipei in october for the World Cup.
(WBSC-AMERICAS; Direction of Media Relations)
