Nov. 29, 2015
MATANZAS, Matanzas, Cuba ââ'¬" Penn State concluded its weeklong, four-game tour of Cuba Saturday, falling in the Cuba Baseball Friendship Tournament finale to Matanzas, 15-2, in Victoria de Giron Stadium,
Penn State posted a 1-3 record against teams from Cuba's top league, the National Series, becoming the first United States team to play multiple teams from the league and the first to earn a victory.
The Cuban and U.S. flags flew above the scoreboard in centerfield throughout the game, where a giant crocodile holding a bat representing the team's also stood. The bullpen was also located in centerfield, with pitchers of both teams warming up back-to-back. The 30,000-seat stadium was completely surrounded with seating areas, keeping everyone close to the field. Approximately 1,500 fans were in attendance.
The crowd was more vocal than in previous games, using horns and sirens. The Nittany Lions also encountered their first mascot, happily posing for pictures with Matanzas' dancing crocodile. The mascot was similar to ones typically found in American stadiums, but he was more willing to remove his head in plain view of the crowd to navigate the tight dugouts.
The festivities started with both teams lining the base lines for the respective national anthems, and Penn State Senior Associate Athletic Director for Business and Finance, Rick Kaluza, umpired his fourth game of the series.
Defensive miscues proved costly against Matanzas, as six Penn State errors led to 10 unearned runs. The Crocodiles also pitched well. RHP Adrian Sosa allowed an unearned run on five hits and a walk with nine strikeouts in the first 5.0 innings for the win. Four pitchers combined to hold Penn State to just one more run on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts.
First baseman Yasiel Santoya, third baseman Jefferson Delgado and catcher Ariel Martinez paced Matanzas with three RBIs each.
Penn State was led offensively by right fielder Keith Leavitt (Manchester, Mass.), who went 2-for-2 with a run scored after entering the game late. Outfielder Jordan Bowersox went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Matanzas scored three runs in the first inning, with Delgado driving in one and an error allowing another.
Catcher Nick Graham (Chambersburg, Pa.) put Penn State on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning when he scored on a throwing error on a single by left fielder Greg Guers (Langhorne, Pa.), but Matanzas answered with five runs in the bottom half for an 8-1 lead. Two errors resulted in four of the runs being unearned. Delgado had a two-RBI double in the frame.
Matanzas added four runs in the sixth inning and three over the next two innings for the final total. Bowersox drove in Leavitt in the ninth for the final margin.
Penn State enjoyed a farewell reception on the beach at a resort after the game and will begin traveling home to State College Sunday.