Nassau, Bahamas, is the site for the 7th Caribbean Baseball Cup taking place Dec. 3 – 8, at the Andre Rodgers Stadium. The USVI team is very optimistic, returning 11 players from last year’s silver medal team. Head Coach Rafael Jackson and Assistant Coach Kwodwo Brannigan are also back to manage the club.
The USVI Senior Baseball Team made history at the 6th Caribbean Baseball Cup held in the Bahamas in 2024, finishing in second place. The Virgin Islands opened that event with a 3-1 loss to the host, but bounced back with impressive victories over two of the region’s baseball powerhouses: a 4-3 win over Curacao, followed by a 6-5 win over Cuba. The USVI reached the championship game of the competition, losing a heartbreaker to Curaçao, 2-1.
Once again, the USVI’s first game of the event was against the home team on Wednesday, Dec. 3. The Virgin Islands scored two runs in the second inning, but the Bahamas responded with two in the fifth. The scheduled seven-inning game was tied at two, and the Bahamas got the winning run in the eighth inning, giving them a 3-2 victory. The Bahamas’ Chavez Fernander was the winning pitcher, while Blake Johnson picked up the loss for the Virgin Islands. Johnson Ponder, Taj Bates, and Kidane Stephens all recorded hits for the USVI.
There was no time for sulking as the USVI was back on the diamond on Thursday evening, facing St. Martin. The USVI was flawless on defense but could not muster any offense, losing 1-0. Martin Schoonderwoerd got the win, and Rafael Cocu registered the save for the winners. Colton Anderson was saddled with the loss despite pitching six strong innings, striking out five, and walking just two. Zayd Brannigan led the USVI with two hits.
The Virgin Islands has a chance to regroup with the day off on Friday, Dec. 5. They play the early game on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m., against the Dominican Republic, which has struggled so far in this tournament. The DR has given up 50 runs in two games at this event and has yet to score. The USVI will need to win this game and their final round-robin game against Curacao on Sunday to play on the final day. The third and fourth-place teams will fight for the bronze medal, and the top two teams will battle for the gold on Monday, Dec. 8.
