The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas didn’t waste any time in taking advantage of the US Virgin Islands.

In their second straight game in the Caribbean Baseball Cup tournament for under-15 players last night at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium, The Bahamas stopped the USVI 11-1.

In the only other game played on day two of the tournament that will run through Sunday, Cuba routed Sint Maarten 13-1 in an abbreviated affair as well. 

Bahamas team manager Albert Cartwright pointed out that the team played up to their potential and a little bit more.

“The last few days, the guys got used to playing with each other, but they know each other from playing in the various academies, so they are friends,” he said. 

“So coming together and putting them in the same clubhouse to compete just shows how far baseball has come and how much we can come together from the different leagues and academies under one roof and play for The Bahamas.”

Originally, five teams were scheduled to play in the tournament, but the Dominican Republic didn’t make the trip here. 

With just four teams here for the tournament, The Bahamas improved its win-loss record to 2-0 after they clobbered Sint Maarten 33-0 in their opening game on Wednesday. Cuba also improved to 2-0 after winning their opener 12-0 over the US Virgin Islands. In yesterday’s game, Amari Knowles from Grand Bahama pitched three strong shutout innings and was the winning pitcher before Mirko Gervasni came in relief to close the door. 

The complete stats from the game was unavailable at press time.

Cartwriight, looking at their performances, said they couldn’t ask for anything more from the Bahamian players.

“I expect what the guys are doing. I think our emphasis has always been for these guys to get in touch with the zone and strike and play defense,” he pointed out.

“Our ballpark kind of plays in our favor because it’s so big. It allows us to do various different things, but I’m excited.We showed the speed that we’re known for and we’ve been putting the bat on the ball. So I anticipate if we continue doing the same thing, we will continue having success.”

The big test in the tournament will come tonight at 7 pm when the Bahamas face Cuba in the much anticipated match-up sto determine who will clinch the top spot going into the playoffs.

“For us, it’s just another game. We will go into it with the same mentality, which is to throw strikes, play defense and run the bases and make them make the routine plays and see how the game turns out,” Cartqwright proclaimed. 

Sint Maarten and the US Virgin Islands will play the earlier game at 2 pm.

The playoffs will then get started on Saturday with the final to be played on Sunday, along with the third place game.