Team USA defeated Cuba 7-6 on Sunday to win the title at the 16U XIV IBAF “AA” World Youth Baseball Championship in Taiwan. Kevin Kramer and Evan Powell decided the outcome with a sac fly and a RBI double in the top of the ninth. Cuba had taken the lead in the bottom of the eighth on a RBI single by Roberto Baldoquin. Guillermo Aviles (CUB) hit a solo homerun. Cory Geisler (W 2-0) pitched 6 2/3 strong innings of relief for the win. The Americans overcame a 1-5 deficit in the game.
The tournament, which began on August 15, also had three participating teams from Europe. The Netherlands won two out of five games in the preliminary round, but lost all three matches in the classification round to finish in eighth place. The Czech Republic, which were in the same pool as the Dutch squad (Holland won the duel 11-2), lost all five games during the first round and ended up in eleventh after beating Hong Kong 16-0 (5) on Saturday. In pool B Russia also stayed winless in five games. They defeated Hong Kong 5-3 in the second round and left Taiwan with a tenth-place finish.
Complete Results, Box scores and Stats available on www.2009baseballworldcup.com
Final Standings:
- USA
- Cuba
- Mexico
- Venezuela
- Taiwan
- South Korea
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Australia
- Russia
- Czech Republic
- Hong Kong
Individual Awards:
Leading Batter: JoMarcos Woods (USA) .696
Pitcher Best ERA: Elbis Martinez (CUB) 0.00
Pitcher Best W/L: Seong Min Kim (KOR) 2-0
Most RBI: Austin Cousino (USA) 17
Most Home Runs: Guillermo Aviles (CUB) 3
Most Stolen Bases: Urving Kemp (NED) 6
Most Runs Scored: JoMarcos Woods (USA) 18
Outstanding Defensive Player: Lazar Hernandez (CUB)
Most Valuable Player: Austin Cousino (USA)
All Star Team:
Best RHP: Hector Mendoza (CUB)
Best LHP: Cory Geisler (USA)
Catcher: Guy Edmonds (AUS)
First Baseman: Guillermo Aviles (CUB)
Second Baseman: Rougned Odor (VEN)
Third Baseman: Lin-Jen Chu (TPE)
Shortstop: Francisco Lindor (USA)
Outfielders: Austin Cousino (USA), JoMarcos Woods (USA), Katsushi Nakamichi (JPN)
Comment by paiki
August 27, 2009 | 8:58 am
USA vs CUBA highlights!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ierMwOIy308