(Press Release; WBSC-AMERICAS).- The U23 World Cup Qualifier concluded its Medal Round with the victories of Colombia and Venezuela, the neighboring countries remain on the podium, along with Nicaragua.
Venezuela defeated Puerto Rico by a score of 7 to 4 to win the bronze medal, in the first game of the day.
The Venezuelans took advantage early, then tied the game later and finally left their rival on the field with a three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning by Antoni Flores.
The second baseman excelled on offense by going 2-for-2 with a home run, a run scored and five RBIs. Jesús Bugarín also contributed a home run to go 4-2 with a run scored and an RBI.
Wilker Palma faced one batter in relief and struck him out, thus winning the Bronze medal game.
For its part, Colombia maintained its momentum of the Pan American Games in Santiago and beat Nicaragua 1-0 in a duel of undefeated teams, to also take the gold medal in the U23 World Cup Qualifier.
The South Americans relied on the great pitching work of Víctor Vargas who scored the victory by working six innings, in which he allowed two hits with eight strikeouts to take the victory.
Hader Blanco and Nicolás Mosquera pitched the final inning, allowing one hit and striking out one to close out the game, with Mosquea getting the save.
Colombia won the gold medal, Nicaragua the silver and Venezuela the bronze to complete the podium, along with them, Puerto Rico will also attend the World Cup of the category in China 2024.
(Media Department; Guillermo Yáber Llanos)
