Ace Maiker Pimentel, veterans Rafael Flores & Erik Urbaneja to lead Venezuela in WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group A

The Venezuelan Softball Federation officially announced today the roster for the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group A, which is slated to begin on Wednesday in Hermosillo, Mexico,

Maiker Pimentel will be the main weapon of the pitching staff while Erik Urbaneja and Rafael Flores will be the leading presence in a veteran roster.

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Venezuela's roster

1. Angel Adames
2. Carlos Alvarez
3. Luis Colombo
4. Jose Dorantes
5. Rafael Flores
6. David Galeno
7. Engelbert Herrera
8. Edinson Marrero 
9. Luis Osorio
10. Maiker Pimentel
11. Luiger Pinto
12. Clevelan Santeliz
13. Rogelio Sequera
14. Eudomar Toyo
15. Erick Urbaneja
16. Carlos Villegas

Eight players from the World Cup 2022 team repeat in the roster, including Urbaneja and Flores who will compete in their eighth and seventh World Cup respectively. The other six veterans from the 2022 team are Adames, Herrera, Marrero, Sequera, Toyo and Villegas.

Left-handed pitcher Urbaneja made his World Cup debut in 2004 before competing in the next six World Cups in a row, collecting two medals along the way - a silver medal in 2013 and a bronze medal in 2015. Flores, his batterymate, has competed in six World Cups since his debut in 2009, also winning two medals for Venezuela.

However, the main arm in the pitching staff is Pimentel, a two-time World Cup veteran (2017 and 2019) with a 3.33 career ERA who starred at the Pan American Championship last April, earning their ticket to the World Cup. 

Venezuela will open the World Cup in Game One of Group A, facing off against the defending World Champions and world No. 2 Australia. First pitch is scheduled at 16:00 local time.