In a surprising outcome, given the poor performances of Cuban baseball in recent events, the Cuban under-15 team secured its spot in the final of the Caribbean Cup by defeating the United States Virgin Islands 10-0 in five innings.
During the match held at the André Rodgers Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas, the Cuban team took advantage of the four defensive errors made by their opponents, hitting five singles.
Under the management of Holguin native Walmer Urrutia, designated hitter and ninth in the lineup, Marcos del Toro stood out by driving in three runs, while catcher José Muñiz added one more, bringing the total to eight across four games, reports the sports portal JIT.
Reliever Lekian Acosta earned the victory by pitching five innings, striking out five batters without allowing any walks. This win marks Cuba's third victory in the tournament, with just one loss, and is the second knockout delivered to the United States Virgin Islands.
Cuba will compete for the title against the winner of the other semifinal between the Bahamas and Saint Martin. It is likely that the left-handed pitcher from Matanzas, Carlos Sarduy, who already has a victory in the tournament, will be the starter in the final.
In August 2024, the Santa Clara team represented Cuba in the Little League World Series, held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The young players made their debut with a 4-1 victory over the Czech Republic at Volunteer Stadium.
However, their participation came to an end after a loss to the team from Matamoros, Mexico, in a match where the Mexicans made a comeback in the final inning to win 6-4.
Later, in October 2024, the Cuban Baseball5 team was crowned champion for the second consecutive time at the World Championship of this sport, held in Hong Kong.
The team defeated Japan in the final with scores of 16-1 and 7-5, solidifying their dominance in this urban version of baseball.
However, in the Premier 12 tournament, the national team was eliminated in the group stage after suffering defeats against the Dominican Republic, South Korea, and Japan, which prevented them from advancing to the Super Round.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Participation in the Under-15 Caribbean Baseball Cup
How did Cuba manage to reach the final of the Under-15 Caribbean Baseball Cup?
Cuba secured its spot in the final by defeating the United States Virgin Islands 10-0 in a match held at the André Rodgers Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas. The Cuban team capitalized on their opponent's defensive mistakes and hit five singles, with standout performances from players like Marcos del Toro and José Muñiz.
Who will be Cuba's opponent in the final of the Caribbean U-15 Cup?
Cuba will compete for the title against the winner of the other semifinal between the Bahamas and Saint Martin. Left-handed pitcher Carlos Sarduy, who already has a win in the tournament, is likely to be the starter in the final.
How has the recent performance of Cuban baseball been in international competitions?
Cuban baseball has experienced recent highs and lows. In August 2024, the Santa Clara team represented Cuba in the Little League Baseball World Series, where they debuted with a victory but were eliminated after losing to Mexico. In another competition, the Cuban Baseball5 team won its second consecutive title at the World Championship for this discipline.
What is the current state of Cuban baseball in major tournaments like the Premier 12?
The Cuban team was eliminated in the group stage of the Premier 12 tournament after suffering losses to the Dominican Republic, South Korea, and Japan. This outcome highlights the challenges facing Cuban baseball on the international stage, impacted by talent emigration and structural limitations.
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