(Press Release; WBSC-AMERICAS BASEBALL).- The national teams from the United States, Mexico and Venezuela won and qualified for the World Cup in Chinese Taipei, also securing their place in the semifinals.
The other team that won was Panama, which, with this victory, takes another step towards the World Cup and the semifinals, when the last day of the Opening Round will be played this Thursday.
The United States knocked out the Dominican Republic in five innings by score, 19-9. The North Americans remain undefeated in the tournament and confirm their status as world champions in the category.
Panama beat Puerto Rico in a hard-fought duel by score 9 to 8, with a comeback win by scoring five in the bottom of the fifth inning and then endured the rally of the Puerto Ricans in the sixth.
The best offensively for Panama was Algis Palacio who went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and six RBIs, two home runs to guide the Central Americans' offense.
Mexico also maintained its undefeated status in the tournament by also winning by knockout, in their game against Cuba by a score of 13-3 in four innings. Remaining one of the favorites of the tournament.
Venezuela, for its part, defeated Brazil 35-5 in four innings by knockout to secure their spot in the World Cup.
Alexandro Ladera excelled offensively by going 4-for-4 with five runs scored and six RBIs, likewise Sebastián Corro went 2-for-4 with another five runs scored and six RBIs. Meanwhile, Abraham Rojas went 2-for-2 with runs scored and five RBIs.
For Brazil, the girl Anna Ribeiro Takahashi, went 1-2 with a home run and three RBIs.
The final day of the Opening Round is this Thursday, when the positions that will determine the semifinals of the tournament will be defined.
(Media Department; WBSC-AMERICAS BASEBALL)
