23/09/2021 - 02/10/2021

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III U-23 Baseball World Cup 2020 - Official Payoff

WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup: Race to Final wide open heading into last day of Super Round

WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup: Race to Final wide open heading into last day of Super Round
01/10/2021
The results on Thursday, 30 September, set up a fascinating final day. Every game scheduled at Estadio Sonora in Hermosillo will count.

The results from Thursday have set the stage for a spectacular Super Round final day of the U-23 Baseball World Cup. The games scheduled for Friday, 1 October, can lead to many different scenarios for the bronze medal game and the World Championship final, scheduled for Saturday, 2 October.

Colombia-Cuba 6-1 GAME REPORT BOX SCORE
Chinese Taipei- Panama 5-3 GAME REPORT BOX SCORE
Venezuela-Mexico 7-1 GAME REPORT BOX SCORE

Colombia started slowly start against Cuba but finished strong, scoring six runs on 10 hits, including home runs by Gustavo Campero and Juan Zabala.

"The first inning, we were overconfident," said manager Jose Mosquera after the game. "I told the players we need to respect the other teams. I reminded them how important the game was. I'm very pleased by what I saw from the second inning on."

With a record of 3-1 and with one game to go, which will be against the defending World Champions Mexico, Colombia is in a good position to play for a medal and potentially the world title. Colombia failed to earn a medal on home soil in 2018 and finished seventh. The 2021 run will at least finish with a better placement.

"I know how much our country cares about a medal, and I am aware we already did better than 2018," added Mosquera. "All this said, we can't be influenced too much by expectations or by what the media reports about us. We are focused on playing one game at a time."

Submarine right-hander Yu-hung Chen dominated Panama's lineup through six innings. He allowed only two hits. He needed only 60 pitches and threw 44 for strikes.

"My motion is unfamiliar to many countries, including Panama," said Chen through the team's interpreter at the end of the game. "I guess this was my strength."

The 20-year old discussed his decision to become a submarine pitcher.
"I'm not too strong," Chen said, "And if I throw overhand, my speed doesn't match the best. This is why I decided to try another way to be successful."

Talking about success, there is still one game left.
"We will give all we have to win that final game," said Chen on a final note.

Left-hander Chih-ting Wang took over for Chen. Slugger Abraham Rodriguez got to him with a three-run home run that put Panama on the scoreboard. With one runner on a no one out, Chinese Taipei turned to Chun-wei Chiu, a 19-year old flame thrower, who retired the side in order and earned the save.

"When I headed to the mound, I thought that the tying run was at the plate, so I didn't need to care about the runner and concentrate on home plate," said Chiu through an interpreter. "I had good control of my fastball, and I worked ahead in the count. That made the difference."

Luis Tello was the runner representing the potential fourth run for Panama.
"It's difficult to think about the next game. This one was so important, and we couldn't execute," commented Tello after the game. "It is also true that we cannot control what has already happened, and we need to win tomorrow against Cuba.

Robert Perez went 4-for-5, leading Venezuela to a come-from-behind win against Mexico.

"This is just one more step towards our goal," commented Perez after the game. "We haven't done anything yet. We are focused on tomorrow. I'm happy I had a good day at bat, but this is a team effort."

Justin Lopez had also a very good day. He went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. When he he hit the two-RBI double, Venezuela was leading 2-1.

"Mexico had just sent a new pitcher to the mound," commented Perez. "I tried to stay calm and focus on the pitch. Luckily, I got to it."

Venezuela reversed the lead in the sixth, as Mexico was only four outs away from winning the game. "We always believed we could come back," said Perez. "This is a team that doesn't give up."

Chinese Taipei surprised Panama today and is still in the race for a spot in the medal round.
"We know how good they are and we respect them. We will play as we did during the entire tournament, one pitch at a time," said Perez on a final note.

Friday, 1 October

10.30 am Panama @ Cuba
3 pm Chinese Taipei @ Venezuela
7.30 pm Colombia @ Mexico