Bayamon Vaqueros win Puerto Rico Double-A Youth League
Bayamon Vaqueros swept Coamo Maratonistas to win the Puerto Rico Double-A Roberto Alomar Youth League. They succeeded the Yabucoa Azucareros.
Bayamon dominated the final series but claimed the title after a thrilling rubber match. The game went into the seventh with no score, and Adrian Rivera scored the only run Bayamon would need on Diego Beltran's infield hit.
Axiel Gonzalez pitched six solid innings and Nelson Lopez took care of the other three innings.
Gonzalez earned the series MVP honours.
"Credit my players," commented manager Anthony Rodriguez. "We had only 12-13 players available for most of the season but they never gave up."
The results
Vaqueros-Maratonistas 4-1
Vaqueros-Maratonistas 10-3
Vaqueros Maratonistas 1-0
The 2025 Double A season will open on Sunday, March 2. The Florida Titanes won the 2024 edition and will host the Barceloneta Industriales for the opening game at Rafael Fello Marrero Stadium. All the other teams will take the field on Friday, March 7. Each of the 45 participants will compete in a 20-game regular season.
Five teams will have former Major League Baseball (MLB) players as their skippers.
Juan Igor Gonzalez, who was manager Puerto Rico at the WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS, is a two-time American League MVP. He will lead the Guaynabo Mets.
Angel Sanchez is a former Kansas City Royals, Boston Red Sox and Hoston Astros infielder. He will be player/manager for Las Piedras Artesanos.
Former Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets catcher Raul Casanova will manager the Juncos Mulos.
Luis Matos, a former outfielder who played nine MLB seasons, will lead Plata del Comerio Pescadores.
Cidra Bravos named Tony Rodriguez their manager. He played for the Boston Red Sox and managed in the Professional Nicaragua League (LNBP).
The Florida Titanes will host from January 31 to February 9 the pre-season Copa de Campeones (Champions Cup), featuring the runner-ups Yabucoa Azucareros and the other Division Champions: Guaynabo Mets, Salinas Peces Voladores, Cayey Toritos, San Sebastian Patrulleros, Juncos Mulos and Cabo Rojo Piratas.