Notable and convincing
The performance of the U23 men's softball team was perfect in the first Pan American Championship of the category, which was played until yesterday in Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela, and the title ended up being the inevitable destination of this team that has Salta's Tomás Machuca as one of its members.
There were nine games played by the albiceleste in this official tournament, the first one to be held in the under-23 category worldwide. There were victories in all of them, some with a comfortable margin like the 12-3 against Mexico yesterday.
The national team took a four-run advantage in the first two innings with home runs from Alan Peker and Alejo Muñoz, both with a man on base. The victory was never at risk and the "knockout" came in the sixth inning.
Argentina won the gold medal, Mexico won silver, and Venezuela completed the podium with bronze. It should be noted that according to the competition format, Mexicans and Venezuelans also faced each other yesterday, with a victory for the Central Americans by 3 runs to 0. The Argentinians had defeated Mexico in the semifinals with a score of 3-0 in a game played last Friday.
The Salta player Machuca achieved an important success for his career. Since he was 17 years old, he has been part of the different national softball teams, played in the U18 World Cup in Canada, and also made his debut in the senior team in a South American championship. Now he adds the title in this Pan American tournament that had the participation of eight teams.
The player who wears the number 27 jersey was trained in Los Cachorros and currently defends the colors of Club Atlético Estudiantes de Paraná. The entire local softball community followed his performance from the first game to the last, and he will surely receive a warm welcome upon his return to Salta.
Argentina achieved the two objectives it went to Puerto Ordaz for: the first one was the qualification for the World Cup and the second one was the title.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN
The champions
The team was composed of: Juan Cruz Bambozzi, Luciano Biondi, Conrado Zanuttini, Matías Etchevers Larraburu, Juan Cruz Garolini, Tomás Machuca, Alejo Muñoz, Alan Peker, Juan José Pepe, Ramiro Pintos, Juan Ignacio Platner, Lucio Retamar, Fernando Rosales, Franco Sáenz, Martín Schonfeld, and Gian Scialacomo.
The coaching staff consisted of: Kevin Bolzán (head coach), Julio Gamarci (coach), José Alberto Guerrinieri (coach), Gustavo Bertoli (coach), and Luciano Benedetti (doctor).
Four teams to the World Cup
Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, and Guatemala were the teams that qualified for the World Cup, which will be held in Paraná, Entre Rios, in October. Meanwhile, the Colombian team could join the U23 World Cup if they receive a wild card invitation. The World Cup will take place from October 23 to 30; it will be the second World Cup to be played in the capital of Entre Rios after the junior competition held in 2012.