Chihuahua (Mexico). After three-plus days with lopsided and mostly expected wins at the I IBAF 15U Baseball World Championship, the tournament saw its first big surprise on Sunday evening, when Chinese Taipei came back from a 0-4 disadvantage to beat host Mexico 6-4, getting into pole position to claim first place in Group A.
In Group B Cuba is already secure in first place, while Nicaragua and Venezuela battle for the top position in Group C. The two best teams from each pool advance to the second round. The first round ends on Monday with six games. There were some slight schedule changes for Parral. Both games were moved ahead to avoid any further delays, as rain is in the forecast for the evening.
Ukraine 1 – Germany 11
After two lopsided losses and a one-run defeat, Germany ended their first round schedule at the I IBAF 15U Baseball World Championship in Mexico with an 11-1 rout over the Ukraine. The contest ended early after seven innings due to ten-run rule. Julius Reitemeier struck out 14 batters in a complete game win.
Argentina 9 – Indonesia 2
Argentina celebrated its second win at the I IBAF 15U Baseball World Championship on Sunday morning, defeating Indonesia 9-2 at Parral Stadium. The South Americans will play another game in the evening, making up Saturday’s rainout against Cuba. Indonesia lost for the third time.
Venezuela 24 – Aruba 0
Venezuela continues to cruise through Group C pitching as ease. On Sunday they won 24-0 against Aruba after four innings due to 20-run rule. Additionally to the offensive rampage their pitchers Ulises Perez and Ricardo Sanchez also only allowed two walks in four scoreless innings. It was the second loss for Aruba in three games at the I IBAF 15U Baseball World Championship.
Brazil 0 – Cuba 18
Cuba concluded their first round schedule at the I IBAF 15U Baseball World Championship in Mexico with a perfect 4-0 record. On Sunday evening they defeated Argentina 7-1 in a rain-shortened game. It was the second match for both teams on the day, as they had to make up their postponement from Saturday. Argentina dropped to 2-1 with their first loss in the tournament.
Honduras 13 – Italy 5
Honduras took advantage from a terrible start of the Italian pitcher and collected five walks, a double and three hits to score eight times in the first inning of the game en route to a 13-5 win. The Azzurri, with reliever Ludovico Coveri, found the way to stop the Americans’ offense for five innings , but could not find the way to completely fill the gap.
Mexico 4 – Chinese Taipei 6
The fans of host Mexico went home disappointed on Sunday evening at Chihuahua stadium. The I IBAF 15U Baseball World Championship had their first big upset, when Chinese Taipei erased a 0-4 deficit en route to a 6-4 victory. It was their third straight win in the tournament, which sets them up to win Group A.
Cuba 7 – Argentina 1
Cuba is continuing to dominate opposing pitching at the I IBAF 15U Baseball World Championship. On Sunday afternoon they celebrated an 18-0 victory over Brazil. It was the third shutout in the third game for the team from the Caribbean. Nine runs in the fourth turned the game into a blowout and led to the early ending due to 15-run rule. Brazil had won its first two games in the tournament.
Schedule
Monday, August 20, 2012
- 11:00 Argentina – Brazil (Parral)
- 15:00 Chinese Taipei – Lithuania (Chihuahua)
- 15:00 Nicaragua – Venezuela (Cuauhtémoc)
- 15:30 Hong Kong – Indonesia (Parral)
- 19:00 Mexico – Italy (Chihuahua)
- 19:00 Aruba – Ukraine (Cuauhtémoc)
Standings
Group A
1) Chinese Taipei 3-0
2) Mexico 2-1
3) Honduras 2-2
4) Italy 1-2
5) Lithuania 0-3
Group B
1) Cuba 4-0
2) Argentina 2-1
3) Brazil 2-1
4) Indonesia 0-3
5) Hong Kong 0-3
Group C
1) Nicaragua 3-0
2) Venezuela 3-0
3) Aruba 1-2
4) Germany 1-3
5) Ukraine 0-3
