Venezuela wins U-23 World Cup opener game in Monteria over Australia

Venezuela defeated Australia, 4-2, in its debut in the II WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup in the first game of the event, held at 18 de Junio stadium in Monteria, Colombia.

The panamerican champions took the lead in the top of the first inning with an RBI single by Leandro Cedeño. The Venezuelan lineup started with a single by leadoff Yonny Hernandez, who one out later stole second base to put himself in scoring position and score from there.

In the defensive side Jose Rodriguez went scoreless for 5 episodes. Bun in the sixth inning Australia tied the game with only one swing. Jess Williams hit a solo homer and tied the score 1-1. After this, Robert Glenning walked and Samuel Kenelly singled, forcing Carlos Moya to make a pitching change.

Cruz Noriega went to the hill, but couldn’t find the strike zone, and walked Jack Barrie in five pitches, loading the bases with only one out. Moya called the bulpen again, and put leftie Miguel Burgos, to face Jordan McArdle, who swung and miss with full count for the second out of the inning. One pitch later, Alex Hall hit a fly to right field to end the threat.

Venezuela answered immediately with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. The South American led off with a double byAnthony Concepción (3 for 3, double, run, RBI ) and a single to the right field by Carlos Machado. Starter Michael Gahan was pulled out of the game (5 IP, 7 H, 3R, 3BB, 1 K) and was charged with the loss, replaced by Jeremy Young.

However Juan Yepez hit a single to left to take the lead again; and Jesus Lujano reached with an infield hit to produce the third run for Venezuela.

Venezuela added one more in the seventh with three consecutie singles, incliding an infield hit by Concepcion to plate Jorma Rodriguez.

Ulrich Bojarski homered in the top of the ninth

In the top of the ninth Australia reduced the lead with a solo homer by Ulrich Bojarski, but Christian Mejia clinched the save with a fly to left field.

The winner was Burgos with a hit and a strikeout in 0.2 innings pitched.

Tomorrow Venezuela will play against Puerto Rico, at 8:00 pm in Monteria, while Australia will meet Chech Republic at 10:00 am.