By Tim Clawser

VENEZUELA – Puerto Rico was crowned the champion of the 2008 Americas Baseball Cup after beating Nicaragua 4-1 on the final day of the tournament yesterday. The Puerto Ricans ended the week-long event with a 7-1 record to earn a spot at the 2009 Baseball World Cup in Barcelona, Spain.

Nicaragua finished the tournament with a 6-2 record to place second and advance to Group D which will be played in the Russian capital of Moscow.

Mexico (6-2) beat the Dutch Antilles on Sunday, 10-7, to finish in the third spot and will head to Prague in the Czech Republic for first round World Cup action next year.

The Dutch Antilles (5-3) secured fourth place at the Americas Cup and will open the 2009 World Cup in Stockholm, Sweden while host Venezuela shutout Brazil, 5-0, yesterday to claim the final berth at next year’s IBAF tournament. The Venezuelans will be in Group E which will be played in Regensburg, Germany.

FINAL RESULTS
1. Puerto Rico (7-1)
2. Nicaragua (6-2)
3. Mexico (6-2)
4. Antilles (5-3)
5. Venezuela (5-3)
6. Panama (4-4)
7. Brazil (2-6)
8. Aruba (1-7)

2009 WORLD CUP GROUPS
Group A: * Czech Republic, Australia, Taiwan and Mexico (Prague)
Group B: * Spain, Cuba, South Africa and Puerto Rico (Barcelona)
Group C: * Sweden, South Korea, Canada and Dutch Antilles (Stockholm)
Group D: * Russia, Japan, Nicaragua and Great Britain/France (Moscow)
Group E: * Germany, USA, China and Venezuela (Regensburg)

* Host Country

Source: El Espectador

Tags: Americas Cup