Havana, March 29 (RHC) – The Kane County Cougars, an American team, were crowned champions of the Champions League of the Americas baseball tournament today after defeating the Diablos Rojos of Mexico 7-3.
In a game played at Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium in Mexico City, the Northerners collected 12 hits to maintain their undefeated record throughout the tournament and lift the championship trophy against rivals who had won it the previous year.
Dilon Thomas hit a solo home run in the first inning to give the Cougars the lead, and from that moment on, the bats were silent until the fifth inning, when the Reds tied the game with a home run by Bryan Antonio González.
James Douglas Kaprielian, for the home team, and Konnor Ash, for the visitors, engaged in an excellent pitching duel and left with no decision after leaving the score tied.
In the sixth inning, the reigning American Association champions took the decisive lead with six runs, two of them driven in by a home run from Claudio Finol off a pitch from the losing pitcher, Justin Courtney, who took the entire inning.
Art Warren, the second reliever used by the American team, earned the win despite retiring only two batters and allowing one run on a double by José Marmolejos.
In the eighth inning, the Mexicans added another run, this time on a double by Rio Ruiz, credited to Derrick Cherry, but it only served to make the scoreline more respectable.
Behind the two finalists in the final standings were the Nicaraguan Dantos de Managua (2-2), the Cuban Cocodrilos de Matanzas (1-3), and the CTBC Brothers of Chinese Taipei (0-4).
