A stellar performance by right-handed relief pitcher Lekian Acosta, combined with a strong Cuban offense that produced two significant innings, scoring five runs in each of the first two innings of the game, enabled Cuba to defeat the United States Virgin Islands for the second time in the tournament.
The victory propelled them to the final of the II U-15 Caribbean Cup, held since December 4 at the Andre Rodgers Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas.
Cuba secured a 10-0 victory in a game decided by the mercy rule in five innings, capitalizing on four errors by the Virgin Islands defense and clucth offense in the first two innings, thereby preventing the game from reaching the standard seven innings.
The spotlight was claimed by reliever Lekian Acosta, who stepped in during the first inning to replace starter Joseph Arias. Arias had loaded the bases with two walks and a hit by pitch, failing to secure the first out of the inning. Acosta entered the game just as it seemed inevitable that the Virgin Islands would score. However, he impressively stopped the opposing offense, striking out the side and starting a run of five consecutive scoreless innings.
Acosta secured the victory by conceding four hits—two in the second inning, one in the third, and a triple in the fifth—but he struck out eight batters, issued no walks, and benefited from his defense, which turned double plays in both the second and third innings, enabling him to achieve the shutout.
The Cubans managed just five hits, but one of them, a triple by designated hitter Marcos del Toro in the second inning with the bases loaded, set the tone for the final score.
The Virgin Islands conceded significantly to the Cubans, as their two pitchers issued four walks, hit three batters, and threw a wild pitch. This, along with four defensive errors, turned out to be a disastrous combination for them in the game.
Cuba is now anticipating the outcome of the second semifinal match between the Bahamas and Sint Maarten to find out who their opponent will be in the final, set for this Monday at 7:00 pm (local time).
If the manager of the criollitos, Walmer Urrutia, accomplished one goal, it was preserving his two key pitchers for the final: left-handers Carlos Sarduy and José Arias, who secured victories in Cuba's first two games of the tournament.
In the Caribbean Cup qualifying round, the Bahamas made international baseball history by decisively defeating Cuba 11-8 this Friday. Both teams are anticipated to vie for the tournament's gold medal in a highly anticipated showdown.
II U-15 Caribbean Cup
Cuba Results/Qualifying
Wednesday, Dec 4: Cuba 12, US Virgin Islands 0 (5) Box score | Play-by-Play
Thursday, Dec 5: Cuba 13, St. Marteen 1 (5) Box score | Play-by-Play
Friday, Dec 6: Bahamas 11, Cuba 8 Box score | Play-by-Play
Semifinal
Saturday, Dec 7: Cuba 10, US Virgin Islands 0 (5) Box score | Play-by-Play
Standings/Qualifying
Bahamas 3-0 (1.000) - RS 55, RA 9
Cuba 2-1 (1.000) - RS 33, RA 12
US Virgin Islands 1-2 (.000) - RS 18, RA 30
Sint Marteen 0-2 (.000) - RS 8, RA 63
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