U12 World Cup Qualifier | Team USA won the title after beating the Dominican Republic 14-7. Cuba took third place with two Cubans in the tournament's All-Stars Team

Team USA orchestrated a remarkable turnaround against the Dominican Republic on Saturday in the U-12 Pre-World Cup final at the Andy Alonso Stadium in Panama City. The match had to be relocated from the Rod Carew Stadium. Team USA emerged victorious with a score of 14-7, clinching the tournament title and securing one of the three qualifying spots for the world event next year.

The Americans have won their second straight title in these qualifying events, setting them up to defend their world champions status in the category at the 2025 World Cup in Tainan, Taiwan, following their wins in the 2023 and 2021 editions.

It was a tough battle for the Americans to overcome a strong and formidable Dominican team. They managed to turn the game around after trailing 7-4 in the fourth inning, ultimately securing the win with a 10-run surge in the final three innings.

It is important to note that the game was interrupted by rain, disrupting the Dominicans' momentum and requiring the match to be relocated to the Andy Alonso stadium to finish. Upon resuming play there, Team USA appeared reenergized and convincingly secured their place as the top team in the tournament by scoring crucial runs against a struggling Dominican pitching staff and an offense that failed to produce hits in the final three innings.

The triumph enabled the United States to clinch the gold in the tournament and secure a spot in the WBSC U-12 World Cup 2025, making them one of the three teams to achieve this feat. Similarly, the Dominican Republic and Cuba, the third-place finisher, also advanced, with Panama securing its position as the host nation of this event.

Towards the conclusion of the tournament, the individual accolades and the All-Star team were revealed. Carlo Rivero, the American pitcher, was honored with the Most Valuable Player title and recognized as the top pitcher of the tournament. In the individual awards category, Cuba excelled in home runs with Alex Batista (2) - shared - and also shared the lead in saves with Humberto Alfonso (1).

In the tournament's All-Star team, Daibel Barrero was chosen as the top third baseman, and Humberto Alfonso was awarded the title of best shortstop.

CUBA TEAM INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

More HRs: Al Batista (2) - shared with 7 other hitters

More SVs: Humberto Alfonso (1) - shared with 7 other pitchers

WBSC U12 Pre-World Cup 2024 - All-Star Team

• P: Carlo Rivero (USA)

• DH: Sebastián Gil (Venezuela)

• C: Carlos Gutiérrez (Venezuela)

• 1B: Jack Mattingly (USA)

• 2B: Brandon Báez (República Dominicana)

• 3B: Daibel Barrero (Cuba)

• SS: Humberto Alfonso (Cuba)

• LF: Joshua Park (USA)

• CF: José Reyes (México)

• RF: Adolfo Alcoser (Nicaragua)

  
  

WBSC U12 Pre-World Cup 2024 - Final Standings

1. USA

2. República Dominicana

3. CUBA

4. Panamá

5. México

6. Puerto Rico

7. Venezuela

8. Nicaragua

9. Brasil

10. Colombia

11. Ecuador

12. Argentina