Dominican Republic, United States, Puerto Rico and Panama remain undefeated in the U12 World Cup Qualifier

(Press Release; WBSC AMERICAS BASEBALL) - The U12 World Cup Qualifier in Panama played its third day with the Dominican Republic, Panama, the United States and Puerto Rico maintaining their undefeated records.

But the first team to win on Tuesday was Cuba, which needed only four innings to beat Argentina 15-0 and leave the South Americans with no hits on the board.

For Cuba, Humberto Alfonso was outstanding offensively, hitting 2-2 with two runs and two walks, while Oliver Monteagudo batted 2-1 with two hits and two walks.

Nicaragua also won its first game of the tournament with a 5-2 victory over Colombia to improve its record to 1-2, after opening with tough losses to Mexico and the United States.

Carlos Quintanilla was outstanding, going 3-3 with a run batted in, while Jhon Quedo went 2-2 with a run scored and a run batted in.

The United States maintained its undefeated record by beating Mexico 9-1 in a game in which Joshua Park went 2-2 with two runs scored and three runs batted in, while Jack Mattingly went 3-2 with two runs scored and one run batted in.

Puerto Rico relied on its starter to defeat Brazil by the minimum difference 2 to 1. Ryan Ayala pitched 4.2 innings to get the win, striking out six, giving up three walks, with one hit and one run.

Adhiel Zabaleta shined offensively by going 3-3 with a run scored and three runs batted in, while Adonis Alvarado going 1-1 with two runs scored and two runs batted in.

Venezuela split its doubleheader, first defeating Argentina 13-0, Adhiel Zabaleta batted 3-3 with a run scored and three runs batted in. Then they fell to the Dominican Republic 5 to 1, managing just two hits, one by Adonis Alvarado and another by Carlos Gutiérrez.

Meanwhile, Panama swept its doubleheader first beating Colombia 3 to 2 with Daniel Pineda taking the lead by batting 1-1 with a run scored and driving in the difference. Then Panama defeated Ecuador 10-0, a game in which Mark Jimenez won by pitching 5.1 innings striking out eight and tolerating just one hit.

With the Dominican Republic, Panama, the United States and Puerto Rico undefeated, Wednesday will see the continuation of the Opening Round of the U12 World Cup Qualifier.

(Media Department; Guillermo Yáber Llanos)