August 3, 2006

Puerto Rico clinches spot in pool championship series
Dugout

With the U.S. West team already assured of one spot in the pool championship series, Wednesday night's game between Puerto Rico and the U.S. East team from Dover, Del., boiled down to a battle of survival. The loser was out of contention for the Big League World Series title.

Puerto Rico, 3-1 coming into the contest, could clinch second place in Pool A with a win and set up a game against Pool B champion S.C. District One for Friday night.

The Southeast champions, Florida, could also clinch a spot in the pool championships. But with a final game against the U.S. West set for Thursday night, the Sunshine State natives also had the possibility of taking the top spot in Pool A, and sending the U.S. West team to face the three-time defending champions Friday night.

Puerto Rico edged the East 3-2, eliminating the Delaware team from consideration for the BLWS championship. After an opening day loss to the U.S. West team, Puerto Rico has won four straight, and will face S.C. District One in the nightcap Friday.

The U.S. East team dropped to 2-2 in the BLWS, scoring 35 runs in its two wins, but only scoring a total of two runs in its two losses. Delaware was scheduled to conclude its BLWS play against Canada Thursday afternoon. Results of that game were not available at press time.

Puerto Rico scored first, when Fernado Garcia hit a double in the bottom of the first, then moved to third on Victor Luke's single. A sacrifice fly by Daniel Ortiz send Garcia home for Puerto Rico's first run.

The U.S. East answered in the third inning with two runs. J.J. Corriveau opened the inning by reaching base on an error. Cory Hayes walked. Alex Benson walked to load the bases.

Chad Hayes drove J.J. Corriveau in with a sacrifice fly. Juice Ortega then hit a single that brought Hayes in for another run.

Puerto Rico regained the lead in the when Jimmy Rivera reached base on an error with two outs. Rivera stole second base, than came home on Gustavo Velazquez's single.