Bucaneros, Yunqueros & Tigres earn sweeps in COLICEBA
By THE STAR STAFF
The Bucaneros of Arroyo, Yunqueros of Río Grande and Tigres of Aguas Buenas all notched victories on Sunday in the opening weekend of the Central Amateur Baseball League Confederation (COLICEBA by its acronym in Spanish).
Arroyo, last season’s championship runner-up, asserted its dominance in the South section by sweeping the Guayacanes of Guayanilla, 15-4 and 2-1.
In the first game, left-hander Gerald Barrios pitched five innings and struck out three batters to claim the win. Elerie Rivera, Jadiel Sánchez and Luis Román each drove in three runs for Arroyo, while Román and Tony Brian Méndez both hit home runs.
The second game had a dramatic finish as the Bucaneros scored their two runs in the top of the seventh inning to prevail. Reliever Agnel Miranda earned the victory.
Also in the South, the Ganduleros of Villalba and Illescanos of Coamo split their doubleheader. Coamo won the first game, 7-1, backed by strong pitching by starter Luis Gutiérrez and Roberto Costas in relief. Villalba bounced back in the second game with a 12-4 victory, featuring three RBIs each from Kevin Luciano and Oscar Santos.
In the East, the Yunqueros started the season strong with two wins, defeating the Halcones of Gurabo, 1-0 and 9-4. The only run in the first game came on a Derek Matta home run in the bottom of the sixth inning; Christian Torres and Francisco López combined on the mound to complete the shutout. In the second game, Luis Rosario led the Río Grande offense, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored.
Meanwhile, the Marlins of Ceiba and Jueyeros of Maunabo split their East section doubleheader. Ceiba dominated the first game 11-2, powered by an offense that produced 13 hits and four scoreless innings from pitcher Brian Escanio. Alexis Olmeda had a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate -- including a home run -- and drove in five runs. Maunabo bounced back in the second game with a 4-2 victory, backed by solid pitching by Shaddai Colón, who went 6.2 innings.
In the Central division, the Tigres swept the Olímpicos of Comerío, 9-4 and 10-6. Raúl Rivera struck out eight batters over five innings in the first game, while Keniel Cruz struck out seven in four and one-third innings of relief in the second. Roy Morales was a key offensive contributor for the Tigres, driving in six runs across the two games.
In the same division, the Jardineros of Aibonito and Sabaneros of Cidra split their doubleheader. Aibonito took the first game 4-2, with Luis Berríos pitching four scoreless innings, while Cidra responded with a 12-6 win in the second game, led by Félix Báez, who drove in six runs.
In the North division, the Caciques of Orocovis bounced back on Sunday, defeating the defending champion Guapos of Dorado, 2-1. Left-hander Edgar Morales pitched five innings for the Caciques.
Meanwhile, the Maceteros of Vega Alta and the Atléticos of Barranquitas split their doubleheader in the same section. Vega Alta won the first game, 7-6, with Elvin Álamo and Ricardo Bautista each driving in three runs. Barranquitas took the second game 3-2, scoring all three of its runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
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