CHIHUAHUA, Mexico – Venezuela upset highly favored Cuba in the finals of the 15U Baseball World Championships. The South American team blew out the previously undefeated Cuba 10-2. Cuba had beaten Venezuela 11-5 earlier in the tournament.
Venezuela jumped on top early scoring 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning getting help from 2 Cuban errors. They extended their lead with runs in the 2nd and 4th innings, but then they blew it open with 4 runs in the 6th inning.
Jose Herrera led the way offensively for Venezuela going 3-for-6 with 3 RBI and 3 runs scored. Angel Manzanarez and Luis Perdomo also collected 3 hits each in the 13 hit attack.
Ricardo Sanchez, tournament MVP, picked up the win on the mound going 7 innings allowing 2 runs (1 ER) on 6 hits and 6 walks while striking out 6.
Chinese Taipei won the bronze medal with a 6-1 win over Mexico earlier in the day. Brazil finished in 5th place with a 9-7 win over Nicaragua.
Final Standings:
1) Venezuela
2) Cuba
3) Chinese Taipei
4) Mexico
5) Brazil
6) Nicaragua
7) Honduras
8 ) Argentina
9) Aruba
10) Italy
11) Germany
12) Hong Kong
13) Ukraine
14) Lithuania
15) Indonesia
Individual Awards:
Leading Hitter: Conrado Díaz (MEX)
Pitcher Best ERA: Dannel Díaz (CUB)
Pitcher Best Win-Loss Record: Kevin Reyes (HON)
Most Runs Batted In: Sergio Cestarelli (ITA)
Most Home Runs: Greifer Andrade (VEN)
Most Stolen Bases: Lucas Sakay (BRA)
Most Runs Scored: Lucas Sakay (BRA)
Outstanding Defensive Player: Yu Tang Ming (TPE)
Most Valuable Player: Ricardo Sanchez (VEN)
All Star Team
Starting Pitcher: Dannel Diaz (CUB)
Relief Pitcher: Jose Garcia (HON)
Catcher: Jose Herrera (VEN)
First Baseman: Yordan Alvarez (CUB)
Second Baseman: Hector Chapa (MEX)
Third Baseman: Hector Guerrero (MEX)
Shortstop: Rangel Ramos (CUB)
Outfielder: Nestor Tejada (VEN)
Outfielder: Conrado Diaz (MEX)
Outfielder: Camil Quintero (CUB)
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This post was written by
Eric Bynum is Managing Editor here at Baseball de World and an ESL teacher in South Korea. He has played and/or written about baseball for the past 30 years and is an avid Atlanta Braves fan. Eric also writes for Braves Baseball World and for Call to the Pen.
