Venezuela earns the last ticket to the U23 World Cup and will face México in semifinals

(Press Release; WBSC-AMERICAS).- Venezuela secured a spot in the U23 World Cup to be played in Taipei in october, joining México, Cuba and Nicaragua as the teams to qualify in Aguascalientes, México.

The defending champs earned their spot by shutting out Guatemala 6-0 behind some great mound work from Oscar Abreu who threw 6.1 innings for the win, allowing three hits, two walks and striking out eleven.

César Ortega went 4-4 with three stolen bases and two runs scored to lead the charge, also Michael Chirinos hit 2-4 with two runs batted in and Brandon Linares went 1-4 with a run and two RBI.

Puerto Rico needed a Venezuelan loss and a win to reach the World Cup, they pounded on Nicaragua 10-2 to reach the same record as Venezuela, but the defending champs had the head-to-head advantage to advance.

 Edward González and Gilberto Torres homered and drove in three runs, while Juan Marcano (winner) and Yeankrlos Lleras shutout Nicaragua for the last 2.2 innings with no hits allowed a walk and two strikeouts to complete the victory.

In the duel for first place, México shutout Cuba 3-0 behind six innings from Víctor Buelna with eight strikeouts and another inning from Jordan Suarez, who got the save with one punch out.

Mario Cabrera homered in three at bats, drove in two and scored one to lead the offensive charge for the host nation that won every single game in the Opening Round of the qualifier.

On friday everybody will rest, but on saturday Cuba and Nicaragua will face of in the first semifinal, after that Argentina and Puerto Rico will play for fifth place and Venezuela will take on México in the last game of the day and second semifinal.

(WBSC-AMERICAS; Direction of Media Relations)