The United States Virgin Islands Baseball Federation was one of four countries to participate in the 5th Caribbean Baseball Cup held in Puerto Rico, Oct. 1-8. The other three countries were Cuba, Curacao, and the host country, Puerto Rico.
The event was a joint venture between the Caribbean Baseball Confederation (COCABE) and the Puerto Rican Baseball Federation. This event will serve as a measuring stick for the participating teams who have also qualified for the 2023 Pan American Games scheduled for Santiago, Chile, Oct. 20 – Nov. 5.
USVI opened play on Oct. 2 with an 11-1 loss to Cuba. The Cuban pitchers had full control of the game, recording 12 strikeouts over six completed innings. Conroy Samuel III and Jahmoi Percival lead the sixth with one hit each. Samuel had the only RBI for the USVI.
The tournament took an unexpected three-day break as the tropical system passed through the area on the afternoon of Oct. 3. Games did not resume until Oct. 6 when the young USVI team took on the host, Puerto Rico. Te’Rellie George got the only hit for the Virgin Islands as they lost to Puerto Rico 8-0. Pitcher Jordan Scott was a bright stop for the V.I. as he had six punchouts in the game.
The third game of the tournament for the Virgin Islands proved to be the team’s best offensive game thus far in the event, with six hits. However, Curacao was able to collect 11 hits on their way to a 16-2 victory. Conroy Samuel III was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3. Jahneel Sewer added two hits for the Virgin Islands.
The final game of this event for the USVI was a rematch against Puerto Rico. This contest was much closer than their first three games but the Virgin Islands still fell short, losing 5-3. Starting pitcher Jordan Scott had a great first two innings, quieting the Puerto Rican bats. However, in the third, he ran into some control issues, walking two of the first three batters in that frame. Both runners scored later in that inning. Samuel led the way once again offensively for the Virgin Islands with three hits. Teammate Rafael Jackson III added two hits.
Cuba won the event, winning all four of their games.
