(Press Release; WBSC-AMERICAS).- The United States, Panama, Mexico and Venezuela are the teams qualified for the U18 World Cup and the Medal Round qualifying tournament.
The United States finished the Super Round undefeated by beating Nicaragua, while Panama walked of Venezuela to reach the final. Mexico beat Puerto Rico and will be in the duel for the bronze medal.
The 8-4 victory of the United States against Nicaragua allows them to advance to the final undefeated, an attack of twelve hits to score eight runs made the difference.
Offensively for the USA, Casey Borba stood out when he hit 3 for 4 with a run scored and two RBIs, Daniel Arambula also hit 1 for 3 with two RBIs and Nazan Zanatello hit 1 for 3 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Panama will face the United States in the final after beating Venezuela by a walk of 6-5, after the South Americans tied the game in the seventh inning.
Alexander Chávez stood out by going 1 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI, receiving two key walks, one of them to drive in the winning run. Ricardo Tivey also stood out, hitting 3 for 3 with two runs scored and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Mexico qualified for the World Cup and will play for the bronze medal by beating Puerto Rico 6-3, a duel that was settled by scoring five runs in the fifth inning.
Offensively, José Sánchez stood out for Mexico, batting 1 for 4 with a run scored and two RBIs, while Ichiro Canó was perfect offensively, batting 2 for 2 with a walk.
Finally, Cuba finished in first place in the Placement Round by beating Canada 6-2 by scoring all runs in the fifth inning.
For Cuba, Samuel Marti stood out in offense, batting 1 for 1 with a walk, three RBIs and one run scored. Darío Sarduy got the win by pitching 5.1 innings in which he allowed four hits, two earned runs, despite giving away six walks, he also struck out six.
(Media Management; WBSC-AMERICAS)
