Cuba secured a 5-1 victory over Panama at the Rod Carew Stadium in Panama City, clinching the bronze medal in the U-12 Pre-World Cup. Daibel Barrero, the right-handed starter, delivered a solid performance, while Cuba's offense scored four crucial runs in the second inning. The tournament will conclude this Saturday with the United States facing the Dominican Republic in the gold medal match.
Securing the win is a significant milestone for the Cuban team in this category. They not only secure a place in the 2025 World Cup WBSC but do so after only losing against the top two teams in the tournament, the Dominican Republic and the United States. Additionally, this victory marks their first advancement to a world tournament in this category in five years.
The standout performer of the day was unquestionably Cuban pitcher Daibel Barrero, who delivered a solid six-inning performance against the strong Panamanian team, conceding just one run on four hits, two walks, and two strikeouts, throwing a total of 76 pitches.
Daibel successfully prevented runners from advancing in every inning except the third, effectively containing the Panamanian offense. Despite Panama only managing to get two players on base with a single and a walk in the first three innings, the situation became more challenging for the Cuban pitcher in the fourth inning.
In that inning Panamá loaded the bases with no outs, after consecutive singles by the third and fourth batters, along with an error by the Cuban defense. Despite Panama appearing to be in a position for a comeback while trailing 5-0, Daibel stayed calm. He successfully dealt with line drives from the sixth and third batters, stopping the runners from progressing. Daibel then conceded only one run on a ground ball to third base hit by Andy Ortega, allowing the runner from third to cross the plate. He finished the inning by getting Anthony Rodríguez out, preserving Cuba's 5-1 lead, which was maintained for the rest of the game.
Following that moment, only two additional Panamá batters managed to reach base. One drew a walk in the fifth inning, while Pineda singled in the sixth, when Cuba just one out away from clinching the win.
The Cubans took an aggressive approach against right-handed starter Diego Daniel Camargo, as doubles from Alan Jonathan López and the impressive offensive newcomer from the island, Alex Batista, helped them secure an early 1-0 lead.
In the very next inning, the outcome of the game was determined. Camargo struggled to hold off a strong Cuban offensive, resulting in him conceding five runs – four of which were earned – in a mere 1 1/3 innings. The inning began with a single by Yuceider Torres, followed by an error from the Panamanian second baseman and a walk to Frank L. Cañizares, loading the bases.
Alfredo Despaigne Jr. struck out to record the first out, while Alan Jonathan stepped up and delivered a double to the right side, bringing in two runs and forcing the Panamanian starting pitcher out of the game.
Facing the new reliever, right-handed pitcher Amell Abid Fernández, Humberto Alfonso delivered a single to right field, bringing Cañizares and López home and extending Cuba's lead to 5-0, a lead they maintained for the rest of the game.
During the second game of the day, the Dominican Republic and the United States were in contention for the title when the rain interrupted the game. After three innings, the Dominican Republic was leading 7-4.
The eighth edition of the WBSC U-12 World Cup is scheduled to take place in Tainan, Taiwan in 2025. During the World Cup Qualifier event, the teams from the United States, Dominican Republic, and Cuba, along with the host country, qualified as representatives from the continent.
The qualification process for the World Cup began with the European U-12 Championship in July. The winners, Germany (world No. 17) and the runners-up, world No. 7 Netherlands, will represent Europe at the World Cup.
Eight teams will participate in the XI BFA U-12 Asia Championship from November 23-29 in Matsuyama and Imabari, Japan and the three teams that make it to the podium will also advance to the World Cup.
WBSC Africa and WBSC Oceania will qualify one team each and, in addition, the WBSC executive committee will award a wild card for a 12th participant.
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