(Press Release; WBSC-AMÉRICAS).- The U23 World Cup Qualifier reaches its final day of the Opening Round with Colombia and Nicaragua as the only ones without defeats so far in the tournament.
Colombia reached 4-0 record with a 10-1 victory against Curacao, which still has not won in this World Cup Qualifier tournament when they reach the last day.
For Colombia, Andreuw Salcedo stood out offensively, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBIs, and Juan Rodríguez also drove in two runs despite having only one hit in five at-bats.
Colombia faces Venezuela this Wednesday seeking to remain undefeated, while Nicaragua, which rested yesterday, seeks to do the same when it clashes against the Mexicans.
Venezuela lost its undefeated record by falling in eight innings to Cuba 10 to 5. The Cubans surprised by scoring two runs in the seventh to send the game to extra innings and then six in the eighth to beat their rival.
Guillermo García went 1 for 5 with two runs scored and two RBIs, but his two-run homer with two outs in the seventh was vital for the Cubans. Jean Baldoquin also drove in two runs by hitting 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Puerto Rico came from behind on two occasions and with five runs in the seventh inning they finished beating Argentina 10-5.
For the Puerto Ricans, Jankel Ortiz went 2 for 3 with two runs scored and three RBIs, while John Montes drove in two with one hit in four at-bats and Luis González went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Panama shutout Costa Rica 8-0, supported by the work of two pitchers who led them to victory.
Jorge Quiel scored the win by working five scoreless innings, with two hits, three walks and five strikeouts, while Luis López completed the job with two scoreless innings of three strikeouts and one walk.
For its part, Mexico came from behind, after the Dominican Republic scored five in the first inning, to win 6 to 5.
Brayan Mendoza was vital in the Mexican attack by going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBIs, while Enrique Alanis came on in relief and in five innings he allowed three hits, but no runs, with one walk and three strikeouts to score the win.
(Media Department; Guillermo Yáber Llanos)
