The action at Volunteer Stadium for the 2017 Little League World Series wrapped up tonight as the Caribbean, represented by the Los Bravos De Pontezuela Little League from Santiago, Dominican Republic, faced off against Latin America, represented by the Luz-Maracaibo Little League from Maracaibo, Venezuela, in an elimination game.
The Caribbean was able to capitalize early in this contest as Edward Uceta would reach on a walk, followed by Jesus Chevalier reaching on Catcher’s Interference. The next batter, Angel Genao, would ground into a fielder’s choice, reaching first while Edward Uceta was put out at third base. During Edward Triunfel’s appearance at the plate, a passed ball would allow Chevalier to score. Triunfel would then walk, and during Gabriel Urena’s at-bat, another passed ball would allow Angel Genao to score, bringing the Caribbean lead to 2-0 before Urena would strike out to end the inning.
The bottom of the 1st would see Latin America load the bases as Moises Molero singled, and two batters later Jhann Bozo and Abraham Cohen would work back-to-back walks. Unfortunately, Daniel Acurero would pop out to the shortstop to end the inning and Latin America would leave the bases loaded.
The second inning would see Latin America strike out the side in the top of the frame, and the bottom of the frame would be led off with a Dario Cardozo single. Cardozo would be forced out two batters later as Omar Romero hit into a fielder’s choice. Romero would be left stranded at 1st.
The top of the third would see the Caribbean get a two-out walk from Angel Genao, but he would be left stranded as Erick Torres went down looking.
The bottom of the third was led-off by Moises Molero working a walk. He would be retired one batter later as Jonney Rosario hit into a fielder’s choice. Two batters later, after Rosario moved to 2nd on a passed ball, he would pull Latin America back within one of the Caribbean as Abraham Cohen hit an RBI single. Cohen would be stranded as Daniel Acurero flew out to left field, ending the inning with Latin America still trailing the Caribbean 2-1.
In the fourth, Latin America would face the minimum after Edward Triunfel worked a lead-off walk, but was quickly retired as Ronald Rosario hit into a 6-3 Double Play. The bottom of the fourth saw Latin America get a one-out double from Jorge Daboin, but left him stranded as the next two went in order.
The Caribbean would get lead-off baserunner to start the 5th as Joustin Torres worked a walk. Benny Triunfel would re-enter to run for Torres, and would make it to third base on a Sac Bunt from Jeremy Solano and a wild pitch, but would be left stranded.
Latin America tried to rally again in the bottom of the 5th, getting a one-out baserunner as Jonney Rosario reached on a single, and moved to second on a passed ball, but was left stranded as the next two batters struck out swinging.
The top of the sixth saw Latin America’s defense turn a double play for the second time in the night, as the Caribbean’s Angel Genao reach with a lead-off single, but become the front end of a 6-3 Double Play. The Caribbean would send the minimum to the plate, and put the pressure to hold on their defense.
Latin America would make a last second push in the bottom of the 6th to avoid elimination with Juan Colina leading off with a single. Daniel Acurero would then re-enter to run for Colina. Acurero would advance to second on a passed ball, then Andres Bermudez would pop out in foul territory to put Latin America down to it’s final two outs. Jorge Daboin would work a walk during the next at-bat, giving Latin America their tying run at 2nd base and the winning run at 1st. Omar Romero would re-enter to bat next, and with a 2-1 count, mother nature would return once again, suspending play at Volunteer Stadium.
One hour and twenty-three minutes later, play would resume. Romero would foul off the first pitch he would see, and the second pitch he would line drive into the right field corner for a triple, scoring Acurero and Daboin, walking it off for Latin America, and most importantly, keeping the Latin America hopes alive for a World Championship with their 3-2 victory.
For Latin America, they now advance into an elimination game against Mexico on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. at Howard J. Lamade Stadium. For the Caribbean, their tournament life comes to an end, finishing with a 1-2 record at the 2017 Little League World Series.
Don’t forget to stay tuned to Talk Williamsport to keep up with all the action happening at the Little League World Series with our In-Game Updates presented by UPMC Susquehanna, the official Sports Medicine provider of the Little League World Series; find out what you missed with our Post-Game recaps on talkwilliamsport.com; and you can pick up your official Talk Williamsport World Series pin at our studios, located at 460 Market Street Suite 310, during our normal business hours.
