BANGOR- Francisco Mateo has been preparing for Sunday night for a while. That preparation paid off as Mateo pitched 5.1 shutout innings, allowing four hits, while walking one and striking nine to lift Roberto Clemente L.L., Carolina, Puerto Rico to an 8-0 victory over Kiwanis National L.L., Regina, Saskatchewen at Mansfield stadium in the final game of day one at the 2016 Senior League World Series.
“Francisco Mateo is one of the best pitchers we have. He has a great fastball around 89-90 miles per hour.”Puerto Rico manager Pedro Cabrera said. “He was working very hard, you saw the result.”
Mateo added, “I was motivated, I worked hard for this moment. I run a lot, this was my moment.”
The all-stars from Puerto Rico scored one run in the first inning, they also struck out three times in the inning. They were able to get their timing in the third inning when they added four runs. Bryan Sanjurjo had the big hit when he smacked a two run single. The Canada pitcher Dylan Bells pitched 2.2 innings, allowing five runs (two earned) on six hits, and one walk, while striking out six.
“We saw the (Canada) pitcher start most of the batters with fastballs. We got ready for the fastball,”Cabrera said. “The first inning he (Bells) got us, because we weren’t ready for the fastball.”
Puerto Rico had eight different players with at least one hit. They advanced to play on Tuesday at 5 p.m. against the winner of Melbourne, Australia and Clear Ridge, Illinois. Canada will play in an elimination game on Monday at 5 p.m. against Barcelona, Spain. For full Senior League World Series updates follow Eastern Maine Sports on Facebook, Twitter, and Instragram.
