Yadiel Rolon throws complete game shutout in Puerto Rico’s win over South Africa

Yadiel Rolon throws complete game shutout in Puerto Rico’s win over South Africa
20/10/2022
Pitcher Yadiel Rolon threw a complete game for Puerto Rico. The 'Boricuas' ended the game in five innings, 10-0.

Puerto Rico needed only five innings to complete a 10-0 win against South Africa on Thursday in the Placement Round of the IV WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup.

Starting pitcher Yadiel Rolon threw a complete game, striking out four and allowing four hits and one walk.

Puerto Rico started the game fiercely by retiring the first two batters of South Africa with a double play. When it was their turn to bat, Ezequiel Pagan led off with a triple down the right field line and was sent to home plate by his teammates, giving Puerto Rico the 1-0 lead.

Pagan was not satisfied with just one hit and one run, and singled to left field in the third to score another run for Puerto Rico, crediting two runs, three hits and one RBI under his name.

Even with Pagan’s excellent performance, it was Glenn Santiago’s key hit that sparked Puerto Rico’s 8-0 rally over South Africa, which first drove Shawn Ross’ run. A walk from Kade Smith loaded the base, and Dilan Rosario’s sacrifice fly brought both of his teammates Santiago and Misael Gonzalez to home plate. Puerto Rico led 5-0 by the end of the fifth.

Towards the end of the game, the entire Puerto Rican lineup went at bat and South Africa's two relievers, Evan Maritz and Johannes Booyens, allowed five hits, five runs and two walks in total.

Puerto Rico scored five runs in the fifth with only one out and eventually closed the game early at 10-0.

They improved to their record to 2-1 in the Placement Round and will face Germany on Friday, 21 October at 17.00 local time, while South Africa will try to seek their first win when they face the Netherlands at 14.00.