Puerto Rico, Colombia lead the Consolation Round; Czech Republic beats Netherlands in European classic
The Consolation Round of the II U-23 Baseball World Cup began today in the city of Monteria, where the Czech Republic beat the Netherlands 4-3. Czech Republic 4-3 The Netherlands In the first game of the Consolation Round, the Czech Republic got their first win of the tournament, after beating the Netherlands, 4-3, at the […]
The Consolation Round of the II U-23 Baseball World Cup began today in the city of Monteria, where the Czech Republic beat the Netherlands 4-3.
Czech Republic 4-3 The Netherlands
In the first game of the Consolation Round, the Czech Republic got their first win of the tournament, after beating the Netherlands, 4-3, at the Estadio 18 de Junio. The game was decided in the top of the last inning, with a single by Martin Cervinka to plate the go ahead run.
Czech Republic went ahead against their classic rival in the first episode, with Martin Muzik’s sacrifice fly and Jakub Grepl’s two-run homer to left field, putting the game 3-0.
In the bottom of the sixth Sherten Apostel came to the plate with two runners on base, and the third baseman tied the game with a home run to left field.
A batter later Jiri Vavrusa tok the ball and the reliever was perfect, retiring in line the ten batters he faced, to claim the victory.
The winning game run came in the ninth inning, with a single by Martin Cervinka to right field that brought in right fielder Martin Kalabek to the home plate.
Czech Republic is now 1-2 in the Consolation Round, and tomorrow they will play against South Africa, at 10 am. For its part, Netherlands has the same 1-2 record, and this Friday will face Australia, at 15.
Puerto Rico remains at the top of the standings in the consolation round, with a 7-5 victory against South Africa this afternoon. The Caribbean team took advantage early in the game, and despite the reaction of the African team could hold the score.
Gabriel Cancel conectó jonrón por segundo juego consecutivo
The Puerto Ricans started the game strong, scoring four runs in the first inning. Jay Feliciano produced the first with a sacrifice fly, and Emmanuel Rivera scored on a steal play. Finally, Gabriel Cancel hit a homer for the second consecutive game, putting the score 4-0.
It seemed that the game would go fast for South Africa, but the left-hander Mohamend Alaoui took the mound in the second inning and hung two consecutive zeros, holding back momentarily the rival offensive.
However, in the fourth inning Puerto Rico increased the advantage with a two-run home run by José Miranda.
The first run of South Africa was scored in the sixth inning, with a double off the bat of Rowan Ebersohn to left field; but Puerto Rico answered with a sacrifice fly from Emmanuel Rivera, to keep the difference.
However, in the top of the eighth inning the African team put the game intresting. With the bases loaded, Nicholas Eagles produced the second run of his team with a single to left field, and few pitches later Tyler Croft cleared the bases with a long double to center field, putting the game 7-5, with just one out. However, reliever Joe Alsina forced Bradleigh Peeters to hit a grpunder to finish the inning with a double play.
The game was won by Javier Torres in 5.1 work tickets (3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K), and was saved by José Alberro. For South Africa, the loss was taken by Dylan O’Brien, who only lasted one inning in the game.
Colombia made its debut tonight before the public of Montería with a categorical triumph against Australia, by 18-5, and remains as leader of the Consolation Round, along with Puerto Rico. The host team defined the game in the first episode with eight runs.
Carlos Vidal ledoff the game against Nicholas Hutchings, and with a count of two balls and two strikes he blasted a home run through the center field, to put the game 1-0. That hit marked the trend of the inning, in which eight Colombians stepped on the plate, including a bases-clearing double by Derwin Pomare.
Derwin Pomare led the offense for Colombia. He went 5 for 5, with 6 RBI, 3 R, a homer and a double
The Australian first run of the game came in the top of the third, with a solo homer off the bat of designated hitter Jordan McArdle.
But in the bottom part of the same episode Colombia scored five more runs, including a three-run home run by Pomare. The third baseman finished the game with 6 RBIs and three runs scored.
Australia reduced the gap with two in the fifth and two in the sixth, product of back to back homers by Samuel Kennelly and Zachary Shepherd.
But Colombia built another big inning in the sixth with five more runs to put the game 18-5.
In the top of the seventh Jose Luis Puerta retired the side to secure the game for Colombia.
With this result, the locals share the lead with Puerto Rico, teams that will face tomorrow at 20:00 hs.
