Yuri Fernandez leads Cuban 9-0 win over South Africa

Yuri Fernandez had a productive game hitting against South Africa as he helped Cuba to a 9-0 victory on Saturday at Dou-Liou Stadium, concluding their stint at the IV WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup.

Cuba swept the Placement Round with victories over Germany, Venezuela and South Africa to finish with a 3-2 record.

Both teams started the game with tremendous defence. Cuba performed a fly-out 4-6 double play to retire South Africa’s batter in the top of the first inning, then South Africa responded with a 1-6-3 double play and pitcher, Jaryd White finishing the inning with a strikeout in the bottom of the first frame.

Cuba’s Carlos Monier singled through the left side, followed by three other singles, which sparked Cuba’s offence, sending Monier and Yuri Fernandez home in the second inning.

Fernandez had three hits and scored three runs. Later, Bryan Gonzalez’s triple, Christian Rodriguez’s double and Dany Oramas’ two RBI double drove in four runs giving Cuba a 6-0 lead.

Fernandez added another triple to right field in the fifth, and with Gonzalez’s sacrifice fly, he scored his third game run that extended the lead to 7-0.

Before the game closed, Cuba added two runs to secure the win at 9-0. Their relievers Oscar Hernandez and Alex Guerra struck out five in the last two innings, while South Africa’s pitcher White threw a complete game, pitching six innings.