Edmerson Castro RBI single in the seventh takes Nicaragua to Super Round

World No. 17 Nicaragua defeated No. 7 Netherlands on Monday, 1-0, in a thrilling pitching duel. The win keeps Nicaragua the only undefeated team and is worth a spot in the Super Round of the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024.

Samuel Guadamuz earned the win pitching 5.2 innings and allowing only three weeks. Jared Albir picked the save with 1.1 perfect innings. Justin Morales went the distance allowing only two hits. He will suffer the loss.

Nicaragua couldn't turn into a run a runner at second and no outs. Leadoff hitter Junior Ortega looked at two strikes, then singled off Dutch starter Justin Morales. He stole second and reached third on a flyout but couldn't run the last 90 feet.

The Netherlands left two runners on base in the third and fourth innings. In the fourth, Nica starter Samuel Guadamuz struck out Donovan Antonio with runners at second and first and one out after an eight-pitch duel.

Guadamuz walked Jair Van Borkulo with two outs in the bottom of the sixth and left for right-hander Albir Rueda, who needed two pitches to get out of the inning.

Jakey Josepha had to go a long way to track down a deep fly by Roger Layton in the top of the seventh. Morales walked Godwin Bennett on four pitches, then balked him to second giving Nicaragua the first runner in scoring position since the first inning.

Bennett stole third and scored the go-ahead run on a single up the middle by left fielder Edmerson Castro.

Rueda retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh and save the win for Guadamuz.

Nicaragua (4-0) earned the right to play in the Super Round but will need to beat No. 6 Korea on the final day of group play to finish first and start the next stage with a clean record.