USA today became the third qualified squad for the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup Super Round, joining Cuba and Chinese Taipei, after a 15-4 win over Puerto Rico at the Hector Espino Stadium in Hermosillo. After a closely contested start, USA exploded in the last inning with eight runs to sweep Group C.
USA jumped on the scoreboard, with a leadoff home run by Coy James.
USA’s pitching staff gave up only three hits, but surrendered four runs, mostly because of the 10 walks delivered by Carson Bolemon (5), Alexander Mercurius (3) and Zane Burns (2). All of them pitched two innings, with Brady Ebel closing the game with a perfect seventh.
Puerto Rico's Yadiel Soto took the loss. The starter was the first of seven pitchers used by Puerto Rico.
With the win, USA moves to a perfect 4-0 record and WI head into the Super Round with a 1-0 record. USA has the day off on Tuesday, while 2-1 Puerto Rico faces 1-2 Guam -- a win here would send Puerto Rico into the Super Round.
