Leones del Escogido Secure Their Spot in the Dominican Baseball Final
The Leones del Escogido have secured their spot in the Dominican baseball final series for the second consecutive year. The team achieved this feat after defeating the Gigantes del Cibao with a score of 7-3 at the Quisqueya Juan Marichal Stadium.
This triumph not only secures their place in the final, but also guarantees them first place in the Round Robin format. With a 12-5 record, the scarlet team secures the home advantage at the start of the championship series.
The Saturday game will be against the Águilas Cibaeñas, who are still in the fight for the second ticket to the final.
From the mound, Radhamés Liz had an outstanding performance, pitching 4.1 innings without allowing runs, with three strikeouts and one walk, although he did not get the win.
The Lions opened the scoring in the second inning, when Elih Villanueva gave a walk to Michael De la Cruz, which allowed the home team’s first run.
The Scarlet’s offense ignited in the fifth inning. Jorge Mateo received a walk and Alcides Escobar reached base on an error. Erik González drove in two runs with a double to left field. Junior Lake contributed with a groundout that allowed González to score.
The Giants responded with two runs in the sixth inning and one more in the eighth. However, the Lions extended their lead with a solo home run by Yamaico Navarro to left field, with a distance of 393 feet and an exit velocity of 102 miles per hour.
In the eighth, Jorge Mateo hit a single that drove in two additional runs, solidifying the victory for the scarlet team.
Kenny Hernández (1-0) earned the victory, while Elih Villanueva (0-1) took the loss. Stephen Nogosek earned the save (2).
In the Lions’ offense, Erik González went 1-for-4, with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored. Yamaico Navarro, 2-for-3, with a home run, one RBI, one run scored, and one stolen base. Junior Lake, 1-for-4, with one RBI, one run scored, and three stolen bases, and Jorge Mateo, 1-for-3, with two RBIs, one run scored, and one stolen base.
For the Giants, Edwin Espinal went 4-3, with a double and a run scored, while Leury García batted 4-2, with a double and an RBI.
The game between Leones del Escogido and Águilas Cibaeñas, corresponding to the last date of the Round Robin, is scheduled for this Saturday at 4:00 in the afternoon at the Quisqueya Juan Marichal Stadium.
