The Tribune

By JONATHAN BURROWS

Tribune Sports Reporter

jburrows@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Champs 14U team saw its bid for a PONY Caribbean and Latin America championship come to an end last night as Puerto Rico rolled to a 10-0 mercy rule victory in five innings at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium.

After battling through the round robin stage and advancing to the championship game, Team Bahamas was held to just one hit while Puerto Rico pounded out 12 hits to secure the title and a berth to the PONY World Series.

Puerto Rico wasted little time taking control.

The visitors scored twice in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back, adding two more runs in the third before putting the game out of reach with a six-run fifth inning.

James Feliciano led Puerto Rico’s offensive attack with a perfect 3-for-3 performance that included two home runs and four runs batted in. Eidan O’Farrill finished 2-for-2 with three runs scored, while Antony Roman and Thiago Mortiva added two hits apiece.

Puerto Rico head coach Edwin Ferebeity said he was proud of the way his team performed on the biggest stage.

“I so proud. I am so proud,” Ferebeity said. “I so excited that these guys came to the field and worked hard. Now you see what’s going to happen.”

With the victory securing Puerto Rico’s place at the World Series, Ferebeity admitted the moment was difficult to put into words. “We’re so excited. I don’t know how I feel right now. It’s just excitement,” he said.

Feliciano’s bat provided the biggest blow of the night. The third baseman launched a two-run homer in the third inning before adding another home run later in the contest as Puerto Rico’s lineup consistently put pressure on Bahamas pitching.

Asked about his team’s success at the plate, Ferebeity credited his hitters’ preparation.

“They throw a lot of fastballs,” he said. “We were alive. They know how to throw, so they throw fastballs, but we ready.”

Bahamas starter Travonte Saunders worked 3 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits and six earned runs while striking out three and walking three. Logan Rolle came on in relief and surrendered four runs over 1 1/3 innings.

Puerto Rico starter Sergio Pagon was dominant from the opening pitch. He tossed a complete-game one-hitter over five innings, striking out six and walking none.

The lone hit for The Bahamas came off the bat of Rolle, who finished 1-for-2.

Despite the lopsided scoreline, Bahamas head coach Donovan Cox said the result did not reflect the quality of his team throughout the tournament.

“We wanted the gold, man. We wanted to put on for the country,” Cox said. “Unfortunately, we came up short. We just got beat by a better team tonight.”

Cox believes his team never found its rhythm offensively against Pagon.

“We didn’t come out and show exactly what kind of talent we are. We didn’t hit,” he said. “Probably on another day, I’m pretty sure we beat them if we hit. But I got to tip my cap to Puerto Rico. They were dominant.”

The Bahamas struggled to generate offence throughout the contest, striking out six times and failing to advance a runner into scoring position.

“The pitcher was pretty good,” Cox said. “The guys had a few tight calls go against us, but we just got to fight. We got to swing the bat. You can’t leave the bat on your hands.”

Although disappointed with the championship game result, Cox praised his players for the effort they displayed during the tournament.

“These boys fought all tournament, man,” he said. “I think they’re pretty good. If you asked me before the last game, I think we were the best team in the tournament. We just came out flat in the last game and it happens. That’s baseball.”

The Bahamas finished the tournament with a silver medal, falling one win short of advancing to the World Series. Cox said improving the pitching depth of the programme will be critical moving forward.

“Definitely pitching,” he said when asked what the team must improve to win future championships. “I think that’s where we fell short in the last game. They showed they were a better hitting team and a better pitching team. Sometimes that’s how baseball goes. They just out-hit us tonight.”

While the championship trophy belongs to Puerto Rico, The Bahamas’ run to the final showcased a talented group that battled through the field and earned a place on the podium in front of the home crowd at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium.

The Bahamas Host 14U team finished the tournament in fourth place.