Arroyo & Dorado on the cusp of COLICEBA finals

The Bucaneros of Arroyo are a win away from the COLICEBA finals after blanking the Azucareros of Yabucoa 7-0 on Sunday. (Aldwin Santiago)

By THE STAR STAFF

The Bucaneros of Arroyo and the Guapos of Dorado are on the verge of reaching the Central Amateur Baseball League Confederation (COLICEBA by its acronym in Spanish) finals after each team won their respective league semifinal games held this past weekend.

Both teams lead their respective series 2-0 in a best-of-five format.

Arroyo blanked the Azucareros of Yabucoa 7-0 on Sunday, thanks to a brilliant combined effort from pitchers Orlando Díaz and Jean Alvarado at Francisco Rosario Paoli Stadium in Maunabo.

Díaz earned the win with a solid eight-inning performance, allowing six hits. Luis Román contributed offensively with a home run and two RBIs. The loss went to Bryan Bermúdez, who allowed five runs in 3.2 innings.

Meanwhile, the Guapos defeated the Marlins of Ceiba 8-1 on Saturday at Perucho Cepeda Stadium in Cataño. Dorado has now won seven straight and remains undefeated in the postseason.

Right-hander Andrés Santiago was dominant for the Guapos, pitching five innings and allowing only one unearned run while striking out four. At the plate, Ian Laureano hit a home run with two RBIs, Carlos Medina had a standout 3-for-4 performance, and Pedro Crespo contributed two hits and two runs scored.

Benigno Cepeda took the loss for the Marlins, allowing four runs and 10 hits in six innings.