(Press Release; WBSC-AMÉRICAS).- The U23 World Cup Qualifier featured Venezuela, who remained undefeated, and Mexico, who won their first game of the tournament.
Venezuela reached a 3-0 record by beating Costa Rica in a tight duel 5-4, in which the South Americans withstood a fierce threat from the Central Americans, who still have not won their first game.
For Venezuela, Jesús Bugarín once again stood out offensively, going 3-for-3 with two runs scored and one RBI. While Antoni Flores went 1-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI.
Rogel Villalba dominated and secured the win by pitching five innings, allowing one hit without any runs, with one walk and seven strikeouts. Wilker Palma entered with the tying run at second and two outs, to strike out the only opponent he faced and score the save.
For its part, Mexico defeated Argentina 11 to 1 by knockout in five innings, to achieve its first victory of the tournament.
Mexico exploted offensively led by Mario Gómez who went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and one RBI, while Héctor Mora went 1-for-3 with another three runs scored and two RBIs. Edgar Bravo also went 1 for 2 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
On the mound, three pitchers left Argentina with only an unearned run, Randy Galvez was the winner of the game by working a scoreless inning, allowing one walk and striking out one.
Meanwhile, Panama defeated Curacao 7 to 0 by shutout and no hit no run, a game in which two pitchers combined for the victory.
Rance Pinilla was the winner by pitching 6.1 innings without hits or runs, with two walks and two strikeouts, reliever Xavier Gibson pitched 0.2 innings with one strikeout. Enrique González stood out with the bat, going 1-1 with a run scored, an RBI and three walks.
On the other hand, Colombia came from behind to beat Cuba 7 to 4 in a duel of undefeated teams and thus consolidate itself in first place.
Andreuw Salcedo stood out by going 1-for-2 with two runs scored and three RBIs, while Juan Pizarro went 1-for-4 with two RBIs.
In the last duel of the day, host Nicaragua remained undefeated in a resounding way by defeating the Dominican Republic by knockout in six innings 15-5.
Elian Rayo led the offense by going 1 for 3 with four RBIs, two scored and two walks received, while Cristhian Sandoval went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and two RBIs to contribute to the victory.
(Media Department; Guillermo Yáber Llanos)
