Dominican Republic Rallies From 10-3 Down to Reach First U-18 World Cup
Dominican Republic erased a 10-3 deficit to beat Puerto Rico 15-11, win bronze and qualify for its first U-18 Baseball World Cup in 2027.
World Baseball News Editorial Team , 1 min read 
The Dominican Republic overturned a seven-run deficit to beat Puerto Rico 15-11 on Thursday, October 29, securing the country’s first qualification for the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup. The comeback at IPL Academy in Boca Chica also earned the hosts bronze at the 2026 WBSC Americas U-18 Pan-American Championship and a place at the 2027 World Cup in China.
Seven runs behind, with a World Cup place at stake
Puerto Rico led 10-3 in the third inning and appeared to have control of the final-day matchup. The Dominican lineup answered with six runs in the bottom half, turning a runaway game into a one-run contest at 10-9.
Puerto Rico pushed its lead to 11-9 in the fifth, but the hosts had one more surge left. Six runs in the bottom of the sixth put the Dominican Republic ahead 15-11, a margin it held through the final out. What had looked like a painful exit instead became a landmark result for a nation with a deep baseball tradition.
Feliz Genao earned the win in relief, allowing one hit over 2 1/3 scoreless innings and striking out one. Puerto Rico reliever Sebastián Quiles took the loss after allowing five earned runs on four hits in 2 2/3 innings.
Dominican Republic joins four World Cup qualifiers
Manager Mendy López Jr.’s team finished third in the continental tournament. The United States took gold, Venezuela earned silver, and Nicaragua secured the fourth and final qualifying place. All four nations advance to the 2027 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in China.
The result completed a remarkable turnaround for the Dominican Republic, which had lost 11-3 to Venezuela the previous day and entered the final round of games with its World Cup hopes uncertain. Against Puerto Rico, the hosts produced two six-run innings when the stakes were highest.
For Puerto Rico, the defeat ended its bid for one of the four available places. For the Dominican Republic, the 15-11 victory delivered a first U-18 World Cup appearance and a bronze medal in front of its home supporters.
