Puerto Rico cruises to first win at U-18 World Cup

South Africa struck first with a run in the second inning but it was all Puerto Rico after that.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico U-18 National Team earned its first victory at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup with a dominant 9–1 win over South Africa on Friday at Nishizaki Stadium in Itoman, Japan.

Puerto Rico now holds a 1-1 record in the WBSC tournament, bouncing back after a 5-2 opening loss to South Korea.

The pitching duo of Richard de Jesús and Yandiel Reyes proved decisive against South Africa, striking out 13 batters, allowing only two hits, and giving up just one unearned run.

Although South Africa struck first in the second inning with an RBI single by Jordan Pinto, Puerto Rico tied the game in the third when Javeth Carrión doubled in a run. The Boricuas extended the lead in the fourth on an RBI single by Diego Hornedo that made it 3–1, followed by a balk that brought in the fourth run.

“A pretty slow start; we expected a bit more aggressiveness early on,” Puerto Rico manager Eddie González said. “From the middle of the game onward, the guys began making adjustments, attacking their pitchers, and running the bases better. It was a win we needed—and we had to win it convincingly. We must keep executing better, day by day.”

The offense continued in the fifth with two bases-loaded walks. In the sixth, Adniel Quiles hit an RBI single, and Kail Peña followed with a triple that drove in two more runs for the final tally. Quiles scored three times in the game.

South Africa’s Jaden Du Pérez took the loss, allowing three runs over three innings.

Puerto Rico’s third game was scheduled for Saturday night against Italy at Okinawa Cellular Stadium.