Tien-Mou/Taipei City. Venezuela has won the duel against rival USA on Sunday evening at Tien-Mou Stadium. The South Americans prevailed 3-2 in the clash, improving to 4-0 in the II 12U Baseball World Cup. Strong pitching and three early runs were enough to pick up the victory. USA’s long home run at the end wasn’t enough to change the outcome.
It was the expected tight game under lights on Sunday evening. In a possible preview of a championship game, Venezuela struck first. Jose Zapata and Edwin Perez got on base with one out and moved up on a wild pitch when Jose Aguilar. Sergio Gutierrez followed and came through after an intense seven-pitch at-bat, driving in both, Zapata and Perez, with a single to right field. One frame later a RBI fielder’s choice by Aaron Bracho made it even 3-0.
Bracho meanwhile dominated the American bats from the mound. The tall right-hander, who later also made a great catch in center field, dominated with his overpowering fastball touching 81 MPH. In four scoreless innings he conceded only two hits and two walks, while striking out four.
The United States tried their best to get into the game, keeping the score under control and remaining hopes alive to come back at the end of the contest. Matthew Allan, Kayler Yates and Joseph Naranjo combined to keep Venezuela to the three runs, issuing just three hits and two base on balls in the game.
It nearly paid off. In the sixth, the US squad made things interesting. After catcher Gabriel Briones struck out to lead off the frame, Naranjo doubled on a long fly ball to the fence in center field. One batter later, Jakob Hines delivered the offensive highlight of the tournament.
The outfielder completely destroyed a 3-2 pitch for a two-run home run, reaching the warning track of Tien-Mou Stadium’s senior field 300-plus feet in distance of the plate in left field. However after the following two strikeouts to end the inning and the game, it became only a spectacular side note in the game notes.
USA will have a chance to quickly rebound from the loss, facing Hong Kong at 10am in Shing-Sheng Stadium on Monday morning. Venezuela will have the next two days off due to the rest day on Tuesday. On Wednesday Pakistan is awaiting the South Americans in the afternoon at Youth Park.
