The Tribune

By JONATHAN BURROWS

Tribune Sports Reporter

jburrows@tribunemedia.net

THE 2025 Caribbean Baseball Cup continued yesterday at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium, where The Bahamas faced the United States Virgin Islands in a seven-inning game.

The Bahamas ultimately secured a 3-2 victory. The game drew a strong local crowd as the home team looked to build early momentum in the tournament, which determines the final regional qualifier for the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games.

Through the first four innings, the US Virgin Islands held a 2-0 lead. Their early scoring came from disciplined at-bats and timely contact, capitalising on two base hits and a sacrifice opportunity that pushed runs across.

Offensively, The Bahamas generated several opportunities but could not convert in the opening innings with many pop up outs and outfield outs failing to hit gaps and get base hits.

A pair of runners reached in the second inning, including a walk and a sharply hit single to left field, but both were left stranded.

In the fourth inning, The Bahamas threatened again after a leadoff double, but a groundout and two strikeouts ended the chance.

Momentum shifted in the fifth inning when Pheron Charlton delivered a key hit that secured The Bahamas’ first run of the game. Charlton advanced around the bases and later reached third, where he scored again on the next play to tie the game.

Defensively, The Bahamas remained steady. Outfield coverage limited extra-base hits, and the infield turned a key double play in the third inning that prevented additional damage. The Virgin Islands, however, remained efficient with runners in scoring position during their brief scoring stretch.

The game remained 2-2 moving into the bottom of the seventh inning. Team Bahamas focused on creating runs, shifting to a more aggressive approach on the bases. As the matchup entered overtime rules, closing pitcher Chavez Fernander took the mound and delivered a strong performance, shutting down the Virgin Islands’ offence and putting The Bahamas back on offence with a chance to win.

Shariffe Neymour, the lead-off runner on second base, would come through with the game winner score, crossing home plate to secure the 3-2 victory for The Bahamas in walk-off fashion. "We knew a lot was riding on this game so we expected this, we were very happy to come out on top tonight," said Bahamas head coach Michael Butler. 

“We are in high spirits but we stay even heeled because we know that all of these things are very competitive and we can not take anybody for granted at this point and we have to be at our best for every single game,” said Butler. 

With the Caribbean Baseball Cup serving as a key qualifier and an important showcase for national talent, the stakes remain high. Team Bahamas plays again this Friday against the Dominican Republic at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium.