23/09/2021 - 02/10/2021

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III U-23 Baseball World Cup 2020 - Official Payoff

Mexico qualifies for U-23 Baseball World Cup Super Round, Group A set to close

Mexico qualifies for U-23 Baseball World Cup Super Round, Group A set to close
27/09/2021
Cuba and the Dominican Republic will make up on Tuesday at 10.30 (local time) the game that was rained out on 23 September.

Mexico earned its third consecutive win and qualified for the super round of the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup. The last game of group play against Germany will not change the position of the defending U-23 World Champions. The other two spots amongst the top six are still up for grabs.

Cuba-Germany 10-3 GAME REPORT BOX SCORE
Dominican Republic-Czech Republic 2-0 GAME REPORT BOX SCORE
Mexico- Chinese Taipei 3-0 GAME REPORT BOX SCORE

Cuba thrived on the lack of control by German pitchers, who allowed 11 walks. The second win in the tournament put Cuba in a good position in the race for a spot in the super round.

"Winning today was a must for us," commented manager and former Olympic gold medalist Eriel Sanchez. "We couldn't play on opening day because of weather and we met a strong Mexican side the day after. We re-grouped and are very much in the race for the super round."

Loidel Chapelli, after earning MVP honours at the 2016 U-15 World Cup and participating in the U-18 World Cup, plays in another age bracket.

"I am very proud to play at the world level. I worked a lot to get ready for this tournament," said Chapelli. "It's not about myself or the individual awards, it's about Cuba. We are a good team and we want to do the best possible. We have a chance to advance to the super round. After that, we will play every game as hard as we can, Fans back home can count on the fact we will honour the Cuban flag."

Three Czech pitchers limited the Dominican Republic to four hits. Two of those, base hits by shortstop Albert Suarez and left fielder Francis Florentino, produced the only runs of the game.

"I was thinking line drive and I was looking for the right pitch. I got that and could deliver the hit that put as ahead," commented Suarez, a 21-year-old minor leaguer in the New York Mets organisation.

"We are focused on our goal," he added. "We believe we can win two more games and advance to the super round."

Dominican starter Jeremy Ovalle struggled out of the gate. The first two hitters walked and singled. Ovalle then struck out the side to end the inning.

"My manager told me that I needed to attack them with my fastball. This gave me confidence and I could get out of the first."

He added: "It is great to be here representing my country."

Czech shortstop Wojtech Mensik got the first of two hits and put a runner in scoring position in the first. The other hit came in the seventh. The Czech Republic brought twice the potential tying run to the plate.

"We had our opportunities today," said Mensik. "Of course, they have great pitching and we couldn't adjust to find the timely hit."

Mexico got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first against Chinese Taipei and didn't need to look back. Starter Juan Tellez pitched four solid innings and left with his team leading 2-0.

"We knew Chinese Taipei is a tough team to beat. I tried to mix my pitches to get to ground out or fly out," commented Tellez.

The bullpen was even better, since Juan Robles and Ricardo Herrera didn't allow a hit.

"I guess we reached a good balance now, the chemistry defense/offense works perfectly," added Tellez.

Both Keven Lamas and Javier Salazar had two hits. Tirso Ornelas hit a double that became instrumental to the go-ahead run.

"I agree. We reached a good balance," commented manager Enrique Reyes. "I was confident we had selected an excellent team, but we entered the tournament the wrong way; fortunately enough, we were able to change approach. Now I like the consistency of my hitters and pitchers."

Mexico qualified for the super round and could even afford to lose to Germany on Monday.
"Actually, we cannot. We need to keep winning," said Reyes on a final note.

Monday 27 September-the schedule

10.30 am Cuba @ Czech Republic
3 pm Dominican Republic @ Chinese Taipei
7.30 pm Germany @ Mexico

Monday, 27 September, won't be the last day of play in Group A. On Tuesday, 28 September, at 10.30 local time. Cuba and the Dominican Republic will make up the game rained out on 23 September.