Gracias, Altagracia!!
Latin America opens with shutout victory

By Mark Rogoff
Special Correspondent

Venezuela head coach Alfonso Avendano admits that overconfidence is a major problem with his Latin America championship squad. But how could you blame them?

The Altigracia Little League All-Stars scored 9 runs in their opening match-up against Guam, wasting no time by putting up a 5-spot in the first frame. Then in the 6th, they tacked on 4 more when Jimali Fermin connected for a grand slam that landed halfway up the hill at Lamade Stadium. Final score: Venezuela 9, Guam 0.

“Of course we were nervous,” said the humble Avendano through interpreter Luis Sanchez. “But they’ve never played in such a beautiful place and in front of so many people.”

After a fielding error brought home the game’s first run, the offensive outbreak started with Edixon Martinez’ hot-shot comebacker that Guam hurler Reyn Johnson knocked down but couldn’t make a play on. That made the score 2-0. And then with runners on first and 2nd, Juan Rivera stepped up and cranked a 3-run, no-doubt-abouter home run to straightaway centerfield.

“For our pitcher, it’s common for him to have a rough first inning,” said Guam head coach Shon Muna.

The 5-run cushion was more than enough for Venezuela starter Angel Reverol, who went on to toss a complete-game shutout. The righthander gave up just 3 hits, 2 of which were of the infield variety. He struck out 9 and walked just 2 batters, both first-inning free passes.

“I felt very good,” Reverol said.

“Getting 5 runs in the first inning makes it a lot easier for this pitcher,” Avendano said to elaborate. “No, I wasn’t that worried (after Reverol issued the first-inning walks) because I’ve had these kids since they were 5 years-old. I knew it would take a couple of innings to relax.”

Although Guam never made a real threat to get back in the game, Reverol was helped out by defensive gems that kept the Guam offense from starting rallies and reaching scoring position. Reverol himself started a nifty 1-6-3 doubleplay in the 3rd. Rightfielder Jimali Fermin an inning later threw out Alan Benavente at first base after what everyone in the park thought was a base hit to right field.

But back to that confident Venezuela offense, leadoff man Jhonny Sandrea went 3-for-4 with 2 runs scored. The speedy shortstop said his job is to simply “get hits.”

Fermin matched Sandrea’s 3-hit effort, each reaching base safely to propel the first- and 6th-inning rallies.

“I am very proud for making it all the way here,” Fermin said.

Coach Muna, meanwhile, was pleased with his team’s effort, which shut down Venezuela’s offense for the middle 4 innings. “We never let up,” he said. “We worked hard. Latin America did a good job. We just got beat today. You expect the best (here).”