USA 12U team to play Chinese Taipei for Gold
Americans topped Cubans to reach finals
The United States 12U national team will play Chinese Taipei in the gold-medal game of the 2015 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup on Sunday at 6:30 a.m. ET.
Team USA topped Cuba, 6-5, in the semifinals to set up a rematch with Chinese Taipei.
"It wasn't pretty, but we did what we had to do," manager Tanner Vesely said in a news release. "We're going to enjoy the moment. It's hard to remember they're 12 years old with how they play the game. We're going to have fun."
Cuba struck first in the semifinal and opened up a 3-0 lead. But the Americans, led by Zach Torres and Jack Ryan, fought back.
Torres and Ryan each had a pair of hits and both contributed two RBIs, as well.
Chinese Taipei beat the Americans, 11-6, on Friday. However, Team USA beat Chinese Taipei in the 2013 gold-medal game.
"They're a very good team, they haven't been beaten yet," Vesely said. "They play extremely hard and put pressure on you. They make you play your best game."