07/09/2023 2 Minute Read

Puerto Rico open Super Round with win over Netherlands

The Netherlands scored first and played superb defence, but their bullpen did not prove effective between the fifth and the sixth innings. Puerto Rico's three pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts.

World No. 13 Puerto Rico defeated No. 7 Netherlands in the first game of the XXXI WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Super Round, 3-2. It was an impressive effort by the Puerto Rican staff, as three pitchers limited the Dutch to five hits and combined 13 strikeouts.

With Amarencio Franka at first, left fielder Harold Laracuente helped Puerto Rico starter Ibrahim Gonzalez get through the bottom of the first as he retired first baseman Jamie Beerman with an impressive diving catch.

The left-hander walked Tai Tromp with one out in the bottom of the third. Centre fielder Miquel Willem got to him with a single, the first Dutch hit of the day. Gonzalez got Franka looking at his breaking ball and threw a 150-kilometre-per-hour heater beyond Beerman to end the inning.

Tyler Mercado walked with one out in the bottom of the fourth, stealing second and advancing to third on Keyon Ashby's single. Catcher Eriel Rivera could not control the third strike on right fielder Thijs Helms, with Ashby scoring the go-ahead run.

Shortstop Hiram Bocachica led off the fifth with a single up the middle. He stole second and reached third as first baseman Diego Garcia bunted for the hit.

Dicky Gonzalez tried to squeeze in the tying run, but his bunt became a comebacker to starting pitcher Reitery Merite. The Netherlands failed to complete the trap, and Bocachica returned to third base. He would score the tying run on a wild pitch. Laracuente worked the count full, fouled the sixth pitch and then walked to load the bases.

The Netherlands handed the ball to Noah Arends. The right-hander hit Jan Reyes, giving Puerto Rico the lead. He got the first out when Beerman got to a hard-hit liner by Adnys Velez with a leaping catch. Helms ran a long way to get to a deep fly in foul territory and record the second out. Arends retired Ediel Rivera on a pop hit in foul territory to get out of the bases-loaded jam.

Beerman led off the bottom of the sixth with a single. Gonzalez got Terrance Heemskerk and left for Jose Bulted.

Mercado welcomed the right-hander with a double along the right-field line, bringing Beerman to third. Ashby followed with an RBI single to make it a one-run game and take Mercado to third. Bulted retired the side to end the inning.

Jarrette Bonet took the mount in the bottom of the seventh and struck out the side. He used 14 pitches, 10 for strikes.