20/08/2024 8 Minute Read

WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup 2024 - Day 5: Super Round set - Colombia, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Chinese Taipei to play for the World Title

Japan, Puerto Rico, and Colombia advanced to the next stage in Group A, finishing in first, second, and third place, respectively. In Group B, Chinese Taipei secured first place, with Nicaragua and Mexico finishing second and third, respectively.

The WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup 2024 Opening Round finished on Tuesday in Colombia to confirm the final participants in the Super Round. Japan, Puerto Rico and Colombia advanced in Group A, while Chinese Taipei, Nicaragua and Mexico qualified in Group B. The schedule of the Super Round and the Placement Round was announced at the end of the day.

In a game of undefeated teams, Japan clinched the top spot of Group A with a 4-2 win over Puerto Rico. The win also secured for Japan a 2-0 record at the beginning of the Super Round, while leaving Puerto Rico with a 1-1 mark since teams take with them their Opening Round results against other Super Round teams through to the Super Round. Colombia, who had claimed third place on Monday, defeated Guam to close the Opening Round with a 3-2 win-loss record. They will open the Super Round with a 0-2 record.

In Group B, Chinese Taipei claimed an easy win against Nicaragua, 12-0, and secured the first place in the standings, leaving Nicaragua second. The start of the game was delayed more than two hours due to rain. In the last game of the day, Mexico defeated Venezuela 6-3 to also secure a spot in the Super Round. The three teams advance to the Super Round with a 1-1 record.

The other two games of the day decided the lower positions in each group. The Dominican Republic downed Italy, 9-4, and clinched fourth place in Group A; while the Netherlands beat South Africa, 13-5, to finish fifth in Group B. Guam and South Africa were swept in the Opening Round and finished in sixth place.

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Japan sent a message on Tuesday defeating Puerto Rico, 4-2, to sweep Group A and advance undefeated to the Super Round. A three-run fourth inning was the key of the game.

Puerto Rico took the lead in the second inning on an RBI single by Sebastian Cruz, to plate Valentin Carrasquillo. However, Japan came from behind in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead. They never looked back.

Narushi Nakashima and Naru Fukui collected two RBIs in the game, leading a five-hit offensive effort from the Japanese lineup.

Japan's bullpen did a good job, working five innings. The winner of the game was Ren Ota, the second of three pitchers used by Japan. Ota worked three scoreless innings, giving up one hit while striking out four. Mitsuki Tokura pitched the last two innings, giving up a run on three hits, with three strikeouts.

Japan finished on top of the standings in Group A and will start the Super Round with a 2-0 record. Puerto Rico, second in the group, will carry a 1-1 mark.

The Netherlands closed the Opening Round with a 13-5 win against South Africa.

Fran-jean Haseth, Raishelnon Ogenia and Javier Chance with two RBI each leading the Dutch offence, while Chance closed the door to get the save in the second win of the tournament for the European team

Both will play the Placement Round in Cartagena starting on Thursday.

The Dominican Republic clinched fourth place in Group A with a 9-4 victory against Italy, who finished fifth in the standings. Both teams will play the Placement Round starting on Thursday.

A six-run first inning, with four walks and a hit by pitch, was key in the game giving the Dominicans a huge advantage since the beginning of the game. Italy reduced the deficit to 6-4 in the game, but three runs in the bottom of the sixth put the game safe for the Caribbeans.

With the win, the Dominican Republic close the Opening Round with a 2-3 record and move to the Placement Round with a 2-0 mark. Italy finished 1-4 in Group A, and will start the Placement Round 1-1.

Chinese Taipei claimed a statement win against Nicaragua 12-0 in a key game for the Super Round Standings.

Chinese Taipei took a 4-0 early lead in the first two innings and never looked back. For Nicaragua this was their first loss of the tournament, but a very heavy one looking ahead to the Super Round where results against other Super Round teams are taken forward.

Both teams will move to Barranquilla to join Japan, Puerto Rico, Colombia and a third team from Group B for the Super Round.

Colombia closed the Opening Round with a five-inning win over Guam, posting a 3-2 record in the Group A standings in third place. Sebastian Solano collected five RBIs in the game, while Durban Arnedo and Ander Elorriaga had three each.

Pitchers Adrian Niño and Javier Ramos tossed a no-hitter. Niño, the winning pitcher, worked four innings giving up four walks and one run, while striking out six. Ramos retired the last three outs via strikeouts.

For Guam, Talen Taitano scored the only run of his team on a bases loaded walk.

Colombia advanced to the Super Round in third place, carrying a 0-2 record, while Guam, 0-5 in Group A, will head to Cartagena for the Placement Round.

Mexico booked a ticket for the Super Round with a win in an elimination game against Venezuela. The 11 de Noviembre stadium witnessed a clutch performance by the WBSC Player of the Day, Diego Serna, to lead the Mexican team to the Super Round.

Serna pitched five innings, striking out seven without accepting any runs. On the offensive side, Joel Vargas went two for four with an RBI and a run scored.

Mexico ended the Opening Round with a 3-2 record and will carry a 1-1 record to the Super Round, while Venezuela, finishing the Opening Round with a 2-3 record, will play the Placement Round.

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Mexico 6 - 3 Venezuela - Play by play

Bottom 7th - Venezuela's comeback falls short. The South Americans mounted a three-run rally, leaving the bases loaded to end the game. With two outs in the scoreboard, Francisco Renteria hit a fly ball in foul territory to end the game.

Top 7th - Mexico extend their lead to 6-0 on a throwing error. Joel Vargas singled, then stole third base and the throw went into the left field, allowing him to score easily.

Top 6th - Mexico add two more. Alfredo Magaña and Luciano Colado worked a consecutive walks, and scored on three wild pitches. Mexico's lead is now 5-0.

Top 4th - Mexico increased their lead with two runs in their fourth at bat. Back to back walks put two runners on with one out. Both advanced on a wild pitch, and then Pedro Salas scored, on another wild pitch. A sac fly by Francisco Coronado allowed Alexander Huerta to score Mexico's third run of the game.

Top 1st - Mexico take a quick lead in the game. Leadoff hitter Alejandro Gonzalez was hit by a pitch, and then Joel Vargas hit a 1-1 pitch for a double to center field to plate the runner from first. Mexico have a 1-0 lead.

Game 30 - 19:00, Once de Noviembre Stadium, Cartagena.
MEX - #55 - Diego Humberto Serna Castelo LHP
VEN - #6 - Daniel Granado LHP

Preview - The last game in Cartagena will define the sixth qualified team for the Super Round. Mexico and Venezuela, both tied with a 2-2 record, will face each other at 7 pm in a "win-or-go-home game". The winner will move to Barranquilla to play the Super Round and remain in contention for a medal, while the loser will stay in Cartagena for the Placement Round. They faced each other for the last time on 3 September 2022 in Hermosillo, Mexico, with an 11-7 victory for Mexico.

2024 U-15 Baseball World Cup - Game 30 VEN vs MEX

Guam 1 - 14 Colombia - Boxscore

Bottom 4th - Colombia sent 11 hitters in the inning, with four walks, two hits and one hit by pitch, to score four runs. The game is now 14-1.

Top 4th - Guam get on the board with a bases loaded walk by Theano Jones. They had loaded the bases with a pair of walks and a hit by pitch. The game is now 10-1.

Bottom 3rd - Colombia score once and now lead 10-0. An RBI double by Durban Arnedo drove in Emmanuel Cavadia.

Bottom 2nd - Ander Elorriaga hit a bases clearing triple and scored on a grounder, leading a five-run second inning for Colombia, who lead now 9-0.

Bottom 1st - A three-RBI single by Sebastian Solano higlighted a four-run first inning for Colombia, who lead the game 4-0.

Game 29 - 19:00, Edgar Renteria Stadium, Barranquilla.
GUM - #14 - Gavin Alcantara RHP
COL - #1 - Adrian José Niño Perez RHP

Preview - To finish the day in Barranquilla and close Group A, hosts Colombia will face Guam at 7 pm. Colombia secured their place in the Super Round with a spectacular win last noght against Puerto Rico, while Guam will finish last place in the Group. It's their first game in the history of the tournament.

2024 WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup - Game 29 GUM vs COL

Chinese Taipei 12 - 0 Nicaragua - Boxscore

Top 4th - Three more for Chinese Taipei, on three walks and two hits. The game is now 12-0. Chinese Taipei pitcher Nien-Hsiao Yu has pitched three innings with no hits and runs allowed. He collected five strikeouts against one walk.

Top 3rd - Chinese Taipei increase their lead to 9-0. The Asians sent a total of 11 hitters to the plate and scored five runs on five hits.

Top 2nd - Yu-Chia Ma walked to leadoff the inning, moved to second on a sac bunt and to third on a wild pitch. He then scored on a Shih-Cheng Lo RBI single. The latter also scored later on a defensive error. Chinese Taipei lead 4-0.

Top 1st - Chinese Taipei score twice in the top of the first. A pair of walks and a clutch two-run double by Shih-Yao Huang to left field give the Asians the early lead in the score.

17:41 - Play ball! Chinese Taipei and Nicaragua are playing in Cartagena de Indias, after a two-hour-and-40-minute delay.

17:05 - Tentative starting time is now 17:40.

16:56 - The rain has stopped and field preparation is underway.

Game 28 - 15:00, Once de Noviembre Stadium, Cartagena.
TPE - #1 - Nien-Hsiao Yu RHP
NCA - #54 - Josue Ramos LHP

Preview - The second game in Cartagena will be another Super Round match, with Chinese Taipei and Nicaragua competing to secure the top spot in Group B and determine their record heading into the Super Round. Their only previous game was played 25 August 2012 in Chihuahua, Mexico, with a score of 13-6 for the Asians. Starting time is 3 pm.

Italy 4 - 9 Dominican Republic - Play by play

Bottom 6th - Dominican Republic add three runs on the scoreboard on an RBI single by Francisco De Marchena, a defensive error, and a sac fly by Miguel Grullon (a spectacular diving catch by Federico Magalotti). The game is now 9-4.

Top 5th - Italy add another run in the fifth. Patrick Silva hit a lead-off double, advanced to third on a balk, and finally scored on an opposite field single by Matteo Chinello. The game is now 6-4.

Top 4th - Italy loaded the bases on two walks and a hit by pitch. Giovanni Pucci scored on a sacrifice fly to left field by Francesco Carlini, in a play that was initially called out and then was reversed on the video review. The game is 6-3.

Top 2nd - Four walks and one hit allow Italy to score two, reducing the deficit to 6-2. Federico Magalotti with the bases loaded walk and Francesco Carlini hed the RBIs.

Bottom 1st - Dominican Republic score six runs in their first at bat. They used one hit, four walks and one hit by pitch to do so. They stole seven bases in the inning.

Game 27 - 15:00, Edgar Renteria Stadium, Barranquilla.
ITA - #29 - Leonardo Prizzon RHP
DOM - #52 - Wilver Canario LHP

Preview - At 3 pm in Barranquilla the two eliminated teams in Group A, Italy and Dominican Republic, will collide to close the Opening Round. They have never played before in a U-15 World Cup.

2024 U-15 Baseball World Cup - Game 27 ITA vs DOM

South Africa 5 - 13 Netherlands - Boxscore

Bottom 6th - Dean Moust tripled to start the inning, and scored later on a wild pitch. It's 13-5 for the Netherlands.

Top 5th - Luca Orgill plates Ryan Kuyk with a double to left field. The game is now 12-5.

Bottom 3rd - Netherlands send 12 batters to score eight times and get a comfortable lead in the game. The European are now 12-4 in front.

Top 2nd - South Africa answer with four runs on two hits and three walks. The game is tied 4-4.

Top 1st - Netherlands mount a four run rally in their first offensive chance, with RBIs by Fran-Jean Haseth, Raishelnon Eugenia and Kayden Leer.

Game 26 - 10:30, Once de Noviembre Stadium, Cartagena.
RSA - #42 - Baariq Hermans RHP
NED - #17 - Neo Van Der Westen RHP

Preview - At 11 de Noviembre stadium, Netherlands and South Africa will play their last game of the Opening Round. With the two teams out of the Super Round, the result of this game will be carried out to the Placement Round standings. Their last game was in 2018, when Netherlands topped South Africa 18-2 in Panama.

2024 U-15 Baseball World Cup - Game 26 RSA vs NED

Puerto Rico 2 - 4 Japan - Boxscore

Top 7th - Valentin Carrasquillo singled to lead off the inning, and one out later went from first to third on single by AdnielQuiles on a hit and run play. Carrasquillo then scored on a passed bal.

Bottom 6th - Japan add an insurance run. Kei Kawakami sent a 0-1 pitch to the right field for a lead-off triple. One out later, he scored on a grounder by Narushi Nakashima. Japan lead 4-1.

Bottom 4th - Japan comeback and take the lead with a three run rally. A walk and an infield single put two runners on with one out, and Narushi Nakashima tied the game with a single to right field. He's hitting .462 for the tournament. with six RBIs. Naru Fukui then brought in two more runs with a two-run single to center field. Fukui has now 6 RBIs in the last two games.

Japan has put the lead-off runner on base in each of the first three innings, but they were all retired on the bases. Soya Kubo reached on a throwing error in the first inning, and Narushi Nakashima walked in the second, but both were picked off by pitcher Carlos Coira. In the third, Jo Suzuki singled up the middle but was retired on a line drive double play. The game remains 1-0 for Puerto Rico after three innings.

Bottom 2nd - Narushi Nakashima drew a leadoff walk, but Puerto Rican pitcher Carlos Coira picked him off at first base for the first out of the inning. It was Coira's second pick-off of the game.

Top 2nd - Puerto Rico take the lead in the game. Edward Pineiro worked a four-pitch walk, moved to second on a walk by Valentin Carrasquillo, and finally scored on a Sebastian Cruz single to left field. It's the first time in the tournament Japan fall behind in the score.

Game 25 - 10:30, Edgar Renteria Stadium, Barranquilla.
PUR - #17 - Carlos Coira RHP
JPN - #11 - Tessho Taniguchi RHP

Preview - In the first game of the day at Edgar Renteria Stadium, Japan will take on Puerto Rico to close their Group A participation. Both teams have qualified for the Super Round, but this game will define who wins Group A, and subsequently, who advance to the next phase with a perfect 2-0 record. They'va faced once in the history of the tournament, a 9-1 Japan win on 3 September 2022, in the Super Round of the latest event. First pitch at 10:30.