Arroyo, Yabucoa, Ceiba & Dorado open COLICEBA Carnival with 2 wins

By THE STAR STAFF

The Bucaneros of Arroyo, Azuareros of Yabucoa, Marlins of Ceiba and Guapos of Dorado finished with victories on Sunday, at the start of the COLICEBA Carnival series.

The four teams lead their respective series 2-0, while placing the Guayacanes of Guayanilla, Ganduleros of Villalba, Jardineros of Aibonito and Atléticos of Barranquitas on the brink of elimination.

Arroyo defeated the Guayacanes 6-0 and 10-1. In the first game, Yadiel Rolón delivered a brilliant pitching performance, going eight innings, allowing only three hits and striking out four, to secure the shutout. In the second game, left-hander Orlando Díaz pitched six scoreless innings, striking out three, to earn the win.

The Azucareros, meanwhile, defeated the Ganduleros 6-2 and 5-4. In the first game, pitchers Christian Rivera and Roy Geigel combined to secure the victory. In the second game, Yadiel Santana and Jonathan Oquendo stood out, with Oquendo hitting a home run and both driving in two runs.

The Marlins defeated the Jardineros 8-7 and 5-1. In the first game, Ceiba took the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning to secure the victory. In the second game, Joel Alvira pitched eight innings and struck out eight.

The Guapos edged the Atléticos 3-2 in the opener and rallied to win the nightcap 12-8 in extra innings. In the first game, Andrés Santiago pitched 6.1 innings and struck out seven batters to earn the win. In the second game, Dorado scored five runs in the 10th inning.

The best-of-five Carnival Series will continue this Friday, which opens the final weekend of this phase, in which the four teams that will qualify for the national semifinals will be determined.