THE Bahamas and Cuba will square off for the second time, but this time for the championship title in the Under-15 Caribbean Baseball Cup.

The two teams will square off tonight in a nationally televised game at 8pm in the final of the four-team, six-day tournament at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium.

In their initial meeting during the round robin of the tournament, the Bahamas pulled off a huge 11-8 decision over Cuba to push their record to 3-0 on Friday night. Cuba dropped to 2-1.

On Saturday, the playoffs took place with the Bahamas advancing to the championship with a 16-1 rout over Sint Maarten, while Cuba whitewashed the US Virgin Islands 10-0 to earn their berth.

Just before the Bahamas vs Cuba showdown, Sint Marteen and the US Virgin Islands will face each other to determine who will return home with the consolation third-place prize.

Here’s a look at how they got to their positions going into the final day of competition tonight at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium.

Bahamas 16, Sint Marten 1

St Maarten scored their only run in the bottom of the first inning on Saturday after Yaedon Martie got on base on a fielder’s choice and eventually came home safely. That fuelled the fire for Team Bahamas, managed by Albert Cartwright, as they produced three runs in the bottom of the frame to take the lead as Kaizen Dorsett was hit by a pitch, Colton Cubbage grounded into a fielder’s choice and Khayle Watkins walked, each scoring a run. 

The Bahamas put the game out of reach in the second inning, scoring nine runs, highlighted by Mario Dean’s two-run producing single and Ajay Knowles’ three-run home run to center field.

And in third, the Bahamas put four more runs on the scoreboard to complete the rout.

Ajay Knowles finished with a 1-for-1 night at the plate with his three-run homer and two runs scored to lead the Bahamas’ offensive attack. Jordan Archer was 1-for-2 with a triple and four runs scored; Malique Israel was 1-for-1 with two runs scored; Mario Dean was 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored and Marlon Bostwick was 1-for-1 with three RBI and a run scored. 

Kaylin Ferguson was the winning pitcher on a one-hitter with five strikeouts and a pair of walks.

For St Maarten, Jaytan Cordilla went 1-for-2, scoring their only run, while Rigadon Raap, one of four pitchers used in the game, suffered the loss.

Cuba 10, USVI 0: Taking advantage of some costly errors by the US Virgin Islands, Cuba only posted five hits, but it was enough to seal the deal as they scored five runs in both the first and second innings. 

Marcos del Toro was responsible for driving in three runs and José Muñiz drove in another.

Silveiro Asosta was the winning pitcher with four hits and eight strikeouts. Anerae Mason suffered the loss.

Miguel Chirino Fndez led Cuba’s offensive attack with a 1-for-3 night with a double and a run scored; Christin Aguilera Garcia was 1-for-2 with two runs scored; Antonio A. Nolazco was 1-for-2 with two runs scored and Jose A. Jimenez was 1-for-2 with  run scored.

For the USVI, Anerae Mason, Roshard Lewis, Jahsani George and D’Waine Gumbs all went 1-for-4, but neither could cross home plate with a run.

Bahamas 11, Cuba 8: After falling behind 5-0 to Cuba in the first inning, the Bahamas rallied to put three runs in the second and eight in the third to take control of the game on Friday night.

Cuba came back with one in the fourth and two more in the sixth to extend the game to the full seven innings.

Colton Cubbage led the attack for the Bahamas, going 4-for-4 with two RBI and. run scored; Mario Dean was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored; Jordan Archer went 1-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored; Malique Israel was 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored and Marlon Bostwick was also 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Liam Eneas, one of three pitchers used in the game, got the win for the Bahamas. Velez J. Roque, one of four pitchers for Cuba, was tagged with the loss.

USVI 17, St Maarten 8: After both teams scored five runs apiece in the first inning, the US Virgin Islands got three more runs in the second, one in the fourth and five in the fifth before Sint Maarten got two more in the sixth.

The USVI closed the door in their Friday night encounter with three in the seventh, but St Maarten could only get one additional run in the frame.

Jaytan Cordilla was 1-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored; Malik Hyman was 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored; Rigadon Raap was 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored; Kension Marsdin was 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored and Jahmai Perez was 0-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.

Di’John Rios was the winning pitcher and Yaedon Martie was the losing pitcher.

In a losing effort, Keshawn Callwood was 3-for-4 with a double, four RBI and four runs scored; Jorge Pantoja was 3-for-4 with a triple, three RBI and a run scored and Roshard Lewis was 3-for-4 with an RBI and four runs scored.

Today’s finale

4 pm Sint Maarten vs US Virgin Islands - bronze medal game.

8 pm Cuba vs Bahamas - gold medal game.

Admission - $10 for adults and children with student ID free.