The Cuban baseball5 team defeated Kenya 2-0 (14-7 and 11-1) in the semifinals today and will compete for the title of the tournament in this sport at the Youth Olympic Games, held at the Tour de l’Oeuf in this capital.
There was truly only one team on the field. Cuba played one of its best games of the tournament, both offensively and defensively, leaving the African team, superior in physique and speed on the basepaths, (almost) as mere spectators.
The match was going to be tough, as Kenya led Group B undefeated. But Cuba barely allowed them to showcase their skills.
In both sets, the players coached by Sergio Arturo Pérez were unstoppable on offense, with standout performances from third baseman Jean Carlos Machado, shortstop Lázaro Díaz, and second baseman Geisel Pupo.
They decided the first set with a six-run rally in the third inning and another four in the fourth, while the second was a walk in the park, with a five-run barrage in the first inning, enough to seal the deal.
Earlier in the day, in a quarter-final match, the Cubans had beaten the French team 2-0 (3-2 and 5-1).
It should be noted that both victories were achieved despite the absence, due to illness, of two-time junior world champion Adis Yudith Espinel, which meant the team had to play with only seven players.
This Tuesday, in the final, Cuba will face Chinese Taipei, seeking revenge for their defeat to the Asian team in the group stage.The Cuban baseball5 team defeated Kenya 2-0 (14-7 and 11-1) in the semifinals today and will compete for the title of the tournament in this sport at the Youth Olympic Games, held at the Tour de l’Oeuf in this capital.
There was truly only one team on the field. Cuba played one of its best games of the tournament, both offensively and defensively, leaving the African team, superior in physique and speed on the basepaths, (almost) as mere spectators.
The match was going to be tough, as Kenya led Group B undefeated. But Cuba barely allowed them to showcase their skills.
In both sets, the players coached by Sergio Arturo Pérez were unstoppable on offense, with standout performances from third baseman Jean Carlos Machado, shortstop Lázaro Díaz, and second baseman Geisel Pupo.
They decided the first set with a six-run rally in the third inning and another four in the fourth, while the second was a walk in the park, with a five-run barrage in the first inning, enough to seal the deal.
Earlier in the day, in a quarter-final match, the Cubans had beaten the French team 2-0 (3-2 and 5-1).
It should be noted that both victories were achieved despite the absence, due to illness, of two-time junior world champion Adis Yudith Espinel, which meant the team had to play with only seven players.
This Tuesday, in the final, Cuba will face Chinese Taipei, seeking revenge for their defeat to the Asian team in the group stage.
