LAREDO -- Guaynabo, Puerto Rico won their contest against Youngstown, Ohio, 5-4 after a seventh-inning comeback. It was the second time in three games against Ohio that Puerto Rico won in the last inning.
Ohio opened up scoring in the first inning, when Bobby Lane lined out, driving in a run. Ohio added two additional runs in the second and third innings to take a 3-0 lead. This included a triple by Chase Franken in the second inning, one of the highlight plays for the Ohio offense.
Ohio added their fourth run in the sixth inning when Brandon Gelpi hit the fourth ever home run in UniTrade Stadium and the fourth home run overall in this year’s Palomino World Series. The home run gave Ohio a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth.
Puerto Rico then rallied in the sixth and seventh innings. In the sixth, Puerto Rico loaded the bases. While Ohio was able to get one of the runners out, Joskar Matta was able to drive home the other two on a double. This made the score 4-2 as the teams headed into the last inning.
Puerto Rico came to bat in the bottom of the seventh and almost immediately put runners on first and third. A balk was then called, advancing both runners and bringing Puerto Rico within a run. A walk and a single tied the game up for Puerto Rico, before the winning run scored on an error to end the game with the score at 5-4 in favor of Puerto Rico.
Yadiel Torres led things off on the hill for Puerto Rico. He surrendered three runs on eight hits over five innings, striking out one and walking one.
Ricky Havrilla was on the pitcher's mound for Ohio. He surrendered two runs on four hits over five and two-thirds innings, striking out five. Justin Miknis threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen.
Puerto Rico racked up eight hits. Matta and Ixander Ortero collected multiple hits for Puerto Rico. Ortero and Matta each collected two hits to lead Puerto Rico.
Ohio tallied ten hits on the day. Lucas Gulczynski and Miknis all managed multiple hits for Ohio.
The game ends the Palomino World Series for Ohio, but also sets the stage for a championship between Puerto Rico and Chinese-Taipei. That game is set for 7:00 p.m. at UniTrade Stadium and can be watched on the UniTrade YouTube channel.