Bahamas big third inning ends Cuba's undefeated run with an 11-8 win in the U-15 Caribbean Cup.

Bahamas celebrates its well-deserved victory. (Photo by ABB)

The Bahamas U-15 baseball team overcame a five-run deficit to beat Cuba 11-8 on Friday night and maintain their undefeated record in the II Caribbean Cup of this category, which has been taking place since December 4 at the Andre Rodgers Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas.

Box score | Play-by-Play

Cuba jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning against right-hander Liam Eneas, in an inning where the team got five hits, including one by Jose Muniz that drove in the first two runs. The inning saw another RBI single by Antonio Nolazco that made it 3-0 and a third hit by Yoan Acosta that added two more runs, giving Cuban starter Jorge Tur a comfortable margin for victory.

However, after a comfortable first inning, Tur began to falter in the bottom of the second inning, complicated by an error of his own that left runners on the corners with no outs. After a steal and a strikeout, Tur loaded the bases with a walk to right fielder and seventh in the batting order, Khayle Watkins, only for the defense to fail again with a grounder by Javan Smith to second base, which allowed two more runs to come in. One batter later, Bahamas cut the difference to 5-3, when Jordan Archer hit a double to left that drove in the third run of the inning. The inning could have been longer after a hit by pitch that again brought a runner into scoring position, but Tur ended the threat by forcing Malique Israel to hit into a double play.

However, the decisive moment came just one inning later. In the bottom of the third inning, the Bahamas scored an impressive eight runs, fueled by nine hits against the Cuban starter and the first reliever, Joseph Arias, who endured seven of those hits from the Bahamian offense. During this inning, the home team sent 14 batters to the plate and, along with the nine hits, earned two walks.

The Cubans attempted a comeback, scoring a run in the fourth inning off Eneas, with Muñiz contributing his second hit of the game. Muñiz also drove in Cuba's final two runs in the sixth inning against the first reliever, right-hander Malik Williams, with a hit to left field. This solidified the performance of the Cuban catcher, who was undoubtedly the island's top hitter of the night, going 3-for-4 with 5 RBIs.

Despite Cuba's third reliever, right-hander Javier Roque, holding the Bahamas scoreless and allowing just one hit over 2 1/3 innings, the Cuban offense was insufficient to overturn the score. The team was clearly impacted by the four unearned runs given up by the Cuban starter.

With their win, the Bahamas (3-0) emerged as the sole undefeated team in the tournament, clinching first place in the qualifying stage. This Saturday, the Bahamians will compete against fourth-place St. Marteen (0-3), who suffered a 17-7 defeat to the US Virgin Islands earlier in the day, in the second semifinal match scheduled for 7:00 pm (local time).

Saturday starting at 2:00 pm, second-place Cuba (2-1) will face third-place US Virgin Islands (1-2), in the first match of the tournament semifinals.

The following day will be a standard rest day, with the tournament medals being decided on Monday, December 9. At the same times, the bronze medal (2:00 pm) and gold medal (7:00 pm) matches will take place, featuring the losers and winners from this Saturday, respectively.

II Caribbean Cup U-15

Cuba results

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

Standings

1. Bahamas 3-0 (1.000) - RS 55, RA 9

2. Cuba 2-1 (1.000) - RS 33, RA 12

3. US Virgin Islands 1-2 (.000) - RS 18, RA 30

4. Sint Marteen 0-2 (.000) - RS 8, RA 63