Shawn Ross shines as his homer lifts Puerto Rico over Germany

Shawn Ross made a two-run homer that sealed Puerto Rico's 3-1 comeback win over Germany on Friday in the Placement Round of the IV WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup.

Puerto Rico outhit Germany, 9-3, but tied the game only in the sixth and needed a seventh-inning two-run homer by Shawn Ross to take the lead. Edwin Sanchez pitched a perfect bottom of the seventh to save the win.

Paul Wittmann put Germany ahead in the bottom of the second when he scored on Simon Liedtke’s double to left centre.

In the bottom of the fourth, Germany had a chance to extend the lead when Puerto Rico’s reliever Juan Marcano allowed a triple and two walks. He then retired Cody Schultz with the bases loaded to end the inning.

After five scoreless innings, Puerto Rico’s Glenn Santiago’s single brought Ezequiel Pagan to second. Pagan scored on an error, tying the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth.

Oscar Santos led off the seventh with a double to right centre. Ross worked the count to 1-2 and drove the fourth offering by German reliever Brandon Schrepf over the left field wall for the two-run homer that won the game.

Puerto Rico now shares the Placement Round's first place with the Netherlands and Venezuela. Puerto will face Venezuela on Saturday, while Germany will conclude the tournament against the Netherlands.