Venezuela leads Group B as the only undefeated team in the U-23 Baseball World Cup

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Venezuela is cruising through Group B of the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup, but the race into the Super Round is wide open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Panama-Korea 5-2 <strong><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/panama-beats-korea-is-one-step-closer-to-super-round-of-u-23-baseball-world-cup">GAME REPORT</a></strong> <strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="BOX SCORE (opens in a new tab)" href="https://u23bwc.wbsc.org/en/2021/schedule-and-results/box-score/85435" target="_blank">BOX SCORE</a></strong> <br>Colombia-Netherlands 10-0 <strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" GAME REPORT (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/colombia-shuts-out-netherlands-earns-second-win" target="_blank"> GAME REPORT</a></strong> <strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="BOX SCORE (opens in a new tab)" href="https://u23bwc.wbsc.org/en/2021/schedule-and-results/box-score/85452" target="_blank">BOX SCORE</a></strong><br>Venezuela-Nicaragua 6-3 <strong><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/venezuela-beats-nicaragua-remains-only-undefeated-team-in-u-23-baseball-world-cup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="GAME REPORT (opens in a new tab)">GAME REPORT</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://u23bwc.wbsc.org/en/2021/schedule-and-results/box-score/85454" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="BOX SCORE (opens in a new tab)">BOX SCORE</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Korea got to Panama's starter Antonio Frias in the top of the first. The Faulkner University senior wouldn't allow another run in 4.1 innings of work.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"He did his job," said manager <strong>Cristobal Giron.</strong> "I expect my starters to give us 4, 5 good innings. What I always tell them is that as far as they keep us in the game, we have a chance to win."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Panama reversed the lead in the bottom half of the frame.<br>"It would have been a different game without our reaction," added <strong>Giron</strong>. "Korea is a team that can hurt you both with their power and the small ball."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Second baseman Adrian Montero led Panama's offense going 3-for-4. Third baseman Joshwan Wright went 2-for-2 with 2 RBIs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"After the first game," said <strong>Giron</strong> on a final note, "I spoke to the team and said that we needed to look at more pitches to give more quality to our at-bats."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Panama is in excellent position to advance to the super round, while Korea is in on the verge of elimination.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colombia was still thinking of a close game when they advanced a runner on a sacrifice bunt in the top of the fourth. Seven runs and six hits later, the score was open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I know what these players are capable of," commented manager <strong>Jose Mosquera</strong>. "I also know that in a short tournament like there's no guarantee the hitters can play up to expectations. In the first couple of games, we chased a lot of pitches out of the strike zone. Tonight we had better at-bats."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colombia's hitters took a good look at a number of pitches and managed to work three walks. One of the six hits was a two-run home run by right fielder Jesus Marriaga, a 23-year old former minor leaguer with the Atlanta Braves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game was called after six innings due to the run-difference rule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Juan Fernandez hit a home run, a double and batted in three runs, setting the tone for the third win by Venezuela. Fernandez hit eight home runs at Double-A for the San Diego Padres of MLB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I was looking for a fastball, and I got a fastball inside," explained <strong>Fernandez</strong>. "I wanted to make a good contact, and thank God I took it deep."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We feel good about being unbeaten," added <strong>Fernandez</strong>. "There's no change of plan, though. We want to keep winning."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nicaragua never gave up, and Venezuela handed the ball to closer Carlos Valero for the final four outs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Valero</strong> praised the chemistry in the clubhouse: "We came together as a team. We are well aware we are representing our country and we aim high."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Saturday 26 September-the schedule</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Netherlands @ Panama<br>Nicaragua @ Colombia<br>Korea @ Venezuela</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->