Ivan Andueza’s 10 K, no hit relief appearance seals Venezuela’s ticket to Super Round

Venezuela clinched today its ticket to the Super Round of the II U-23 Baseball World Cup, held in Colombia, defeating Dominican Republic by a score of 7-2. A stellar performance by Ivan Andueza guided his team to the victory, striking out 10 opponents in 6 innings.

From the top of the first inning Venezuela took the advantage with three runs, with an RBI singles by Anthony Concepcion, and Carlos Machado, the latter for two runs.

One inning later Leandro Cedeño increased the difference, with a single to plate Jorma Rodríguez.

Dominican Republic reacted in the bottom of the second, with a solo homer by Martín Taveras and a single by Dariel Gómez, who brought to the plate Ariel Sandoval, who had tripled to center field.

However, Gomez’s hit would be the last of the game for the Dominicans, since the starter Christian Mejías did not allow hits in the third episode, and from the fourth would come the dominant appearance of Andueza, who only allowed two walks in six frames and took the victory.

Venezuela added one more run in the fifth with Rodriguez, taking advantage of an error. While in the eighth he added two more runs, with a double off the bat of Jesus Lujano.

������ Venezuela going to the Super Round in Barranquilla #U23WorldCup @fevebeisbol pic.twitter.com/JTqz14OmQl

— WBSC ⚾ #U23WorldCup (@WBSC) October 22, 2018

With this result, Venezuela is still unbeaten in the tournament and secured the ticket to the Super Round, to be played in Barranquilla starting next Thursday. Tomorrow the South Americans will play against Korea, with the first place of the group in play. For its part, the Dominican Republic has a record of 2-2 and tomorrow will play its last game of the Opening Round against the Czech Republic.