USA beats Cuba 4-3 to win WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup 2022; Chinese Taipei earns bronze

Welcome to this daily summary of the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup, giving you the latest news and key updates on baseball’s official world championship in the age bracket.

HERMOSILLO, Sonora (MEX) — USA defeated Cuba, 4-3, in the World Championship Final of the V WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup 2022 on Sunday at Sonora Stadium in Hermosillo, Mexico. It’s the U.S.’s second consecutive title in the age category, after having won the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup 2018 in Panama.

 

Brady Murrieta homered in the second inning and Brady Ebel had two RBIs to power the U.S. offense.

Trailing 2-0, Cuba took the lead in the top of the third. Alejandro Cruz doubled in the first Cuban run. Yadier Ruiz followed with a two-run double to left center to give Cuba a 3-2 lead.

The U.S. tied the game in the bottom of the third on Ebel’s infield single. After a scoreless fourth inning, USA loaded the bases and scored on a fielder’s choice to take the lead at 4-3.

 

Cuba managed to load the bases in the top of the seventh. USA manager Andrew Briese then handed the ball to right-hander Ryan Harwood, who struck out the final two batters to end the game, throwing as fast as 90 mph to secure the win.

USA’s Coy James was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. The U.S. center fielder hit .478 with 2 home runs, 8 RBIs and 11 runs scored. “It feels good right now, to help the team win, nothing better than that,” James said after the World Championship Final.

 

“I just wanted to put the guys in a good spot to be successful,” said USA manager Briese. “That was my main goal here.”

Cuban manager Alexander Urquiola said: “When we started to train in Cuba, we knew we had a good team, ready to compete, and that’s what we did…It’s a bit bittersweet moment now…but they played better than us and ended with the title.”

 

Cuba and USA are the most successful sides in the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup with 13 and 11 medals respectively however, USA has now won the most gold medals with seven, one ahead of Cuba’s six while the victory is USA’s 53rd World Championship title across all WBSC events, including three from three tournaments this year following on from the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup and World Games in August and July respectively.

Earlier in the day, Chinese Taipei was awarded the bronze medal due to Covid-19 protocols that forced Japan to forfeit the game.

 

The WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup 2022 “All-World Team” was revealed during the closing ceremony Sunday night and features players from Cuba, USA, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Panama and Puerto Rico:

 

• Catcher: Yaider Ruiz (CUB)
• First Baseman: Kanta Kanemoto (JPN)
• Second Baseman: Tien-Szu Huang (TPE)
• Third Baseman: Alejandro Cruz (CUB)
• Shortstop: Ethan Holliday (USA)
• Outfield: Isaac Carrasquillo (PUR)
• Outfield: Coy James (USA)
• Outfield: Juan Caballero (PAN)
• Best Starting Pitcher: Yao-Yun Chang (TPE)
• Best Relief Pitcher: Daniel Reyes (PAN)
• Designated Hitter: Andrew Costello (USA)
• Most Valuable Player: Coy James (USA)

 

Final Standings

1. USA
2. Cuba
3. Chinese Taipei
4. Japan
5. Puerto Rico *
6. Panama
7. Mexico
8. Venezuela
9. Colombia
10. Czechia
11. France *
12. Guam **
13. South Africa