Nicaragua, Cuba, Colombia and Venezuela reach two wins in the U23 World Cup Qualifier

(Press Release;
WBSC-AMERICAS).- The
U23 World Cup Qualifeir continued on Sunday with key victories for Nicaragua,
Cuba, Colombia and Venezuela, all teams reached a 2-0 record and moved to the
top of their respective groups.

Nicaragua showed Argentina no
mercy and in five innings they delivered a 13-0 knockout, in addition to
leaving their rivals hitless.

Stanling Orozco excelled by
pitching five innings in which he did not allow runs or hits, with three walks
and two strikeouts to take the victory. Offensively, Roger Leyton stood out, by
going 3-for-3 with runs scored and four RBIs.

Colombia did not give Costa
Rica any freedom either and in five innings they delivered a 10-0 knockout for
their second victory of the tournament.

Hernando Mejía stood out by
throwing five scoreless innings, in which he allowed just two hits, with two
walks and seven strikeouts, to take the victory. Offensively, Juan Pizarro
stood out by going 2-for-2 with two runs scored and three RBIs.

Meanwhile, Cuba beat Curacao 5
to 1, to also reach a 2-0 record and share the top in its group standings.

Miguel Neira pitched six
innings in which he allowed one run, with one hit, no walks and seven
strikeouts to score the win. Meanwhile, Guillermo García went 1-for-2 with two
RBIs.

Puerto Rico achieved its first
victory of the tournament to level its record at 1-1 by beating Mexico in its
debut by a shutout 7-0.

Jorhan Laboy dominated the
Mexicans by throwing seven scoreless innings in which he allowed one hit,
walked four and struck out nine. At bat, Jankel Ortiz stood out, going 1 for 3
with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Edgardo Villegas went 1 for 3 with two
more runs scored and one RBI.

Venezuela also reached two
victories without defeats by knocking out Panama by a score of 13 to 1 in five
innings.

Redinson Gómez scored the
victory by working 1.2 innings in relief in which he struck out three and
allowed one hit. While Jesús Bugarin once again shined with the bat by hitting
4-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBIs.

(Media Department; Guillermo Yáber Llanos)