USA, Cuba to play in 16U Baseball World Championship Finals

Lagos de Moreno, Mexico. Saturday, August 27, 2011.

Cuba and Team USA will meet again in the 16U Baseball World Championship finals. On Saturday Cuba needed to rally twice to beat Chinese Taipei to secure a berth. The United States already were set for the title game since Friday. The defending champion suffered its first loss of the tournament, as Japan stunned them in ten innings. The Asian team is now qualified for the bronze medal game.

Their opponent will be determined on Sunday morning. Rain pushed the Cuba vs. Chinese Taipei into the evening and the matchup between Mexico and the Netherlands got postponed until the next day. After that game the second participant of the small finale will be known. Earlier in the day Venezuela had beaten Australia in the ninth inning to remain its chances alive.

Second Round

Venezuela – Australia 9-8

Recap

One day after blowing a big lead against Team USA and losing in extra innings, Venezuela had the better ending on his side. Trailing for most of the game, a bases loaded walk by Jose Lino tied the game in the top of the ninth. A walk-off single by Alexander Palma ended it shortly after for a 9-8 win over Australia. Franklin Barreto also homered at Panamerican Stadium, collecting four hits overall. Corey Lyon had three hits for the team from Down Under, which is finishing the tournament in eighth place.

Cuba – Chinese Taipei 7-4

Recap

Orlando Roa Garcia hit two homeruns and drove in three to lead Cuba to a 7-4 victory against Chinese Taipei and into the finals. They came back from 0-1 and 1-4 deficits to win the game. Jorge Martinez broke a 4-4 tie with a two-run single in the seventh. Arbelio Quiros went 5 1/3 innings of scoreless relief for the win. Cuba is now 5-1 in the second round. Chinese Taipei dropped to 3-3.

USA – Japan 6-8 (10)

Recap

There will be no undefeated team at the end of the 2011 IBAF 16U Baseball World Championship. Japan ended the streak of Team USA with an 8-6 win in extra innings on Saturday evening in Lagos de Moreno. A RBI fielder’s choice and an infield single pushed the two decisive runs over the plate in the top of the tenth to seal the deal. Team USA had tied the game in the bottom of the ninth, but couldn’t win it despite a bases loaded situation with one out.

Postponement

Due to the lengthy rain delay for the start of the duel between Cuba and Chinese Taipei in the afternoon, the game between Mexico and the Netherlands had to be postponed from Saturday evening to Sunday morning. They will make it up at 10am in Aguascalientes. Afterwards the bronze medal game will be played at the same stadium. Japan will face Venezuela, Chinese Taipei or Mexico.

Standings Second Round

1. Cuba 5-1
1. USA 5-1
3. Japan 4-2
4. Chinese Taipei 3-3
5. Venezuela 3-3
6. Mexico 2-3
7. Netherlands 1-4
8. Australia 0-6

Outlook

The 2011 IBAF 16U Baseball World Championship in Lagos de Moreno and Aguascalientes, Mexico will end on Sunday. The championship game with arch rivals Cuba and Team USA will be held at 4pm at the Panamerican Stadium in Lagos de Moreno. It is also the rematch of the 2009 finals, when USA was able to defeat Cuba. Earlier on the day Mexico will meet with the Netherlands and the bronze medal game will take place. Due to the uncertain weather situation in Mexico, starting times and venues are not set in stone. Keep checking www.ibaf.org, Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date.

Schedule, Sunday, August 28

10h00 Mexico – Netherlands (Romo Chavez)

Bronze Medal Game:
TBD Japan vs. TBA (Romo Chavez)

Championship Game:
16h00 USA – Cuba* (Lagos de Moreno)
*home field advantage to be determined

All coverage surrounding the IBAF 16U Baseball World Championship can be found at www.ibaf.org. Follow the International Baseball Federation also on Facebook and Twitter for additional and instant information.