Cuba concluded its run at the U-18 Pan American Baseball Championship in fourth place after losing to Puerto Rico (2-3) in the bronze medal game held this Sunday at Rod Carew Stadium in Panama City, Panama.
According to the digital site JIT, the team managed by Michael González showed a lackluster offense in the matchup, managing only four singles and failing to capitalize on the nine walks given up by the opposing pitchers.
The Puerto Ricans, meanwhile, took advantage of the four errors committed by the Cuban defense, scoring three unearned runs against the starting – and losing – pitcher César Morales.
Despite the loss, the largest island in the Antilles secured a spot in the category's world tournament, a feat not achieved since 2017.
"We would have liked to return to Cuba with a medal," catcher Yadier Ruíz told the aforementioned publication.
Cuba had an excellent qualifying round but fell to host Panama in the semifinals when they sought to compete for the championship.
Details on Cuba's Performance in U-18 Pan American Baseball Championship
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Cuba's performance and results in the U-18 Pan American Baseball Championship.
How did Cuba perform overall in the U-18 Pan American Baseball Championship?
Cuba finished in fourth place after losing to Puerto Rico in the bronze medal game. They had a strong qualifying round but were unable to secure a medal.
Who managed the Cuban team during the championship?
The Cuban team was managed by Michael González.
When was the last time Cuba qualified for the world tournament in this category?
Cuba last qualified for the world tournament in this category in 2017.