Big win for Colombia at Pan American Men’s Softball Championship

Big win for Colombia at Pan American Men’s Softball Championship
20/09/2017

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Colombia conquered an astonishing victory against USA by 3-2, and qualified for the playoffs of the tournament. The South Americans hurlers Elkis Chinchilla and Luis Amaya were dominant against the US bats. Venezuela and Canada remain unbeaten in the tournament.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Colombia conquered an astonishing victory against USA by 3-2, and qualified for the playoffs of the tournament. The South Americans hurlers Elkis Chinchilla and Luis Amaya were dominant against the US bats. Venezuela and Canada remain unbeaten in the tournament.

Jamir Iriarte produced the first run of the game with a single to right field in the second inning, giving the lead to his team. In the third and fifth innings, Colombia used the same formula to score one more: RBI single by Eduardo Cuesta to center field to score Yosimar Cardozo.

However, in the sixth USA reacted with a line drive shot by Erik Ochoa to center field; and in the seventh had a great chance to tie the game. Nick Mullins singled, Kevin Castillo walked and Derick Kennedy produced the 3-2, with no outs. However Amaya struck out Jenner Christiansen and Cameron Schiller consecutively, and made Yusef Davis hit a ground ball to end the game.

After that game, Venezuela beat Colombia by 7-2. Yeider Chirinos, Rafael Flores and Luiger Pinto homered in the top of the seventh inning to stretch the lead and give their pitcher some security runs.

Venezuela scored three in the first inning, including a single by John Zambrano to produce one run. However, Chinchilla found his rhythm and started to dominate their rivals.

In the second inning, Colombia scored two runs by Aldo Navia and Gari Parejo, closed the gap. But the score remained through the seventh, when the Venezuelan offense exploded with the three aforementioned homers.

The winner was Carlos Ucero in four innings of work, 1 hit and 6 Ks. The loser was Chinchilla.

In the last game of the night, Venezuela beat Dominican Republic by 4-1 and clinched first place in the Pool A.

In the match-up between the Caribbean islands, Cuba defeated Puerto Rico by 5-3 and added their fifth win of the tournament. Alain Roman and Glubel Plutin combined to strikeout 15 hitters for the win.

Cuba scored two in the first inning with Juan Rodriguez and Alexis Navarro, but stranded two more runners on base.

Puerto Rico scored in the third inning, with an RBI single by Juan Martinez to plate William Rodriguez. However, in the next three innings Cuba scored once, slowly adding to the difference. First was a single by Yesander Rodriguez, followed by a sac fly by Ranier Vera and finally with a triple by Yasmani Rios.

With the score 5-1, Eduardo Nuñez stepped to the plate with Jaime Ortiz on base, and homered to center field, making it 5-3.

However in the last inning Plutin struck out the three hitters he faced to claim the victory. The winner was Roman, and the loser David Rivera.

In Pool B Canada is still undefeated in the top of the standings. In their first game of the day they got a walk-off win against Panama by 1-0, with a brilliant performance by Keith Lieph and Devon McCullough from the circle.

The only run of the game was scored in the bottom of the seventh, caused by a defensive error by Jonathan Catuy. Patrick Burns singled to center field and Tyler Randerson hit a grounder to third base, good for double play. But Catuy failed in the throw to second base, allowing Burns to score in a very close play in home plate.

In the defensive end Lieph arrived to the seventh with a perfect game, striking out 16 of the 18 batters he faced. However, in the top of the seventh Alexander Lewis led off with a single to left, but was called out in second trying to make it a double. At this point of the game McCullough entered to the circle and ended the game with a K.

Mexico beat Bahamas in the first game of the day by 7-3 in a lead changing game, which was decided by a four run inning by Mexico in the fifth inning.

Wayne Johnson hit an RBI single to center field, scoring Desmond Russell from second base, to give his team the lead.

Mexico tied the game in the top of the third with a sac fly by Ismael Peña to plate Albino Sanchez. But the Caribbean team took the lead again with a two RBI single by Augelo Dillet to left field which scored Courtney Smith and Lamar Watkins.

However, in the top of the fifth Mexico loaded the bases with a hit by pitch to Sanchez, an error and a single by Jesus Cardona. And the heart of the lineup took advantage of the situation, with a pair of two RBI singles by Peña and Edgar Lopez to take the 5-3 lead.

In the last inning Mexico scored two more with an error and a single by Ala Salgado to clinch the victory.

The winner was Samuel Villalvazo who pitched the complete game, with 3 runs, 4 hits, 4 walks and 15 strikeouts. For Bahamas, Lyle Sawyer (4 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 2 BB) was charged with the loss.

Aruba claimed today their first win of the event, defeating Brazil by 8-3. Kelvin Silvania was the MVP of the game, with five RBIs, including a home run. Giandrick Lacle also contributed with three RBIs.

Aruba scored their first two runs with a triple by Lacle to right field. In the top of the fifth, he produced one more with a single, and scored with a three-run shot by Silvania, to open the gap between both teams.

In the bottom of the fifth, Brazil scored with a single by Rafael Ishikawa to plate Marcelo Nakandakari. However, Aruba scored again in the top of the seventh with a two RBI single by Silvania.

In their last attack, Brazil tried to come from behind, but the effort came short, scoring only two. The final score was 8-3.

Jomark FLanegin threw the complete game allowing 3 runs, 2 hits, 3 walks and 9 Ks, to claim the win. For Brazil, Mario Yoshimura pitched 4 innings for the loss, with 6 runs, 9 hits, 1 walk and 1 strikeout.

Argentina defeated Bahamas in the midday by 15-2 in their first game of the day, with an overwhelming performance.

Argentina started the game at full speed, scoring four runs. In the bottom of that inning, Bahamas scored their only two runs of the game. Lamar Walkins walked, Philip Johnson singled and Angelo Dillet brought them home with a single to center field.

However, Argentina maintained their offensive intensity and kept scoring every inning to finish the game in four innings.

Santiago Carril and Manuel Godoy produced three runs each, while Federico Eder finished with 2 RBIs.

Huemul Mata won the game in relief, with 1 walk and 8 strikeouts. Roman Godoy started the game and allowed the two runs of Bahamas in the first inning, with 2 hits, 1 walk and 3 fanned. The loser was Martin Burrows in 3 innings of work, with 14 runs, 15 hits, 1 walk and 1 strikeout.