III Premier12 | NC Dinos crushes Cuba 13-1 in first preparation match for the world tournament

In the first of a series of preparatory matches for the Cuban national team ahead of their participation in the Premier12 world tournament, the KBO Dinos secured a resounding 13-1 victory. The Cubans are preparing for the tournament, which will kick off in Group A on November 9 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

As part of the 2024 Ulsan-KBO Fall League, the Cubans have been invited to participate in order to help prepare a team aiming to enhance the national team's performance in the Premier12, following disappointing showings in the 2015 and 2019 editions of the tournament.

Cuba initiated the game with the subsequent starting lineup:

Yoelquis Guibert (CF)

Roberto Baldoquín (3B)

Erisbel Arruebarrena (SS)

Alfredo Despaigne (DH)

Guillermo Avilés (1B)

Lázaro Armenteros (LF)

Yadil Mujica (2B)

Andrys Pérez (C)

José A. Noroña (RF)

Yusniel Padrón (SP)

Christian Rodríguez, Luis V. Mateo, Jean Walters and Andy Cosme also saw play as substitutes.

In this opening game, neither Cuban starting pitcher Yusniel Padrón nor the bullpen could contain the Dinos' offense. Padrón allowed three runs in two innings with 3 strikeouts and a walk, taking the loss at the end.

After Padron's exit, Raymond Figueredo worked in just 1 1/3 innings and allowed 4 earned runs with 4 hits, without strikeouts or walks. Figueredo conceded the fourth run for the Dinos in the third inning and three more in the fourth inning due to a home run by shortstop Kim Se Hoon.

Geonel Gutiérrez, a left-handed pitcher, stepped in to help, pitching 1 2/3 innings, striking out three batters but giving up 4 earned runs and 5 hits, including a home run to catcher Shin Yong Seok. The NC Dinos scored again against Leodán Reyes, who pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing 3 hits, 2 walks, one strikeout, and two earned runs.

Frank L. Medina was the only Cuban pitcher to work perfectly, completing 1 1/3 with 2 strikeouts.

In the game, Dinos' starting pitcher Shin Young Woo only gave up three hits in five innings, recording six of the team's 12 strikeouts against Cuban batters. Cuba managed to score their only run in the eighth inning, as shortstop Christian Rodríguez came home after being hit by a pitch, with Alfredo Despaigne hitting a single and Guille Avilés delivering a sacrifice fly.

In the game, Cuba managed to produce just six hits. Despaigne got two hits, including a double, while Erisbel Arruebarruena, Yoelkis Guibert, Lázaro Armenteros (who also hit a double), and Andrys Pérez (who hit a double too) all played a part in the offensive efforts of the Cuban team.

During the game, the Cuban manager, Armando Johnson, was giving opportunities to the substitute players and making various changes to the defense as the match progressed.

Oct 23, 2024/Gijang Hyundai Dream Park	R	H	E
CUBA	1	6	1	L: Yusniel Padrón
NC DINOS	13	16	0	W: Shin Young Woo

Following the loss, Cuban coach Armando Johnson appeared unconcerned and proceeded to share his thoughts with Jit.

The Cubans are scheduled to play two additional warm-up games in the tournament, with the upcoming match set for Friday, October 25 against Jiansu Hughes of the CBA of China. Following this, they will take on the LG Twins on Saturday, October 26, in the sole game being broadcast on the KBO YouTube channel.

The Cuban national team has not yet assembled all its players for the Premier12 tournament. They arrived in South Korea on October 18 to set up a training camp, allowing them to acclimate to the time difference.

During their stay, they are scheduled to play two confirmed matches against the South Korean national team on November 1 and 2 at the Seoul Gochon Skydome. Additionally, it has been revealed that pitcher Ronald Bolaños will be unable to join the Cuban team for the world tournament due to personal obligations. Therefore, the final roster's replacement is eagerly anticipated.

Before the tournament begins in Chinese Taipei, where Group B will be located, Cuba will participate in additional preparatory matches. Additionally, two exhibition matches supported by the World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) are scheduled.

South Korea and Chinese Taipei are both part of Group B, along with the Cubans, who will start competing in Taipei on November 13th.

This group comprises the defending champion Japan, the Dominican Republic, and Australia. Only the top two teams will progress to the Super Round of the tournament, scheduled to take place at the Tokyo Dome in Japan from November 20 to 23. The championship game is set for November 24.

Group A, held in Guadalajara, Mexico, will include teams from Venezuela, the United States, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Netherlands, and the host country, Mexico.

Cuba's Team Performance against NC Dinos on October 23, 2024