Nicaragua evened its four-game exhibition series against Cuba in Rivas on Wednesday night, grabbing a 6-1 victory at Estadio Yamil Ríos Ugarte.
The win evened the series at 1-1-1 after a 2-2 tie in the opener, a 3-1 win for Cuba in Game 2, and Nicaragua’s win on Wednesday. The series concludes on Friday at Estadio Nacional Soberania in Managua.
Nicaragua starter Erasmo Ramirez threw three scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk and recording a pair of strikeouts.
Outfielder Omar Mendoza hit a ground ball that scored Chase Dawson in the first and had a two-run single in the fifth. Mendoza has been a bright spot for Nicaragua during the series against Cuba, hitting a solo homer in the series opener and singling in Game 2. The Managua native has played his entire career in Nicaragua’s winter league with the Tigres de Chinandega and was on the roster for the 2025 World Baseball Classic Qualifier, but didn’t see action as Nicaragua swept their way back into the field for 2026.
Cuba’s lone run came in the bottom of the seventh, when Angel Hecheverria doubled home Ariel Martinez. The hit was Hecheverria’s first of the series, while Martinez, now 4-for-11 with a homer, two RBIs, and three runs scored and in three games, has been Cuba’s best hitter thus far.
Cuba/Nicaragua Exhibition Series Schedule
All times Eastern Standard Time
Feb. 19
Cuba 2, Nicaragua 2 – Estadio Roberto Clemente – Masaya, Nicaragua
Feb. 22
Cuba 3, Nicaragua 1 – Estadio Rigoberto Lopez Perez – Leon, Nicaragua
Feb. 25
Nicaragua 6, Cuba 1 – Estadio Yamil Rios Ugarte – Rivas, Nicaragua
Feb. 28
5 p.m. – Cuba vs. Nicaragua – Estadio Nacional Soberania – Managua, Nicaragua
Photo: Danilo Bermudez earned the win in relief as Nicaragua beat Cuba 6-1 in Game 3 of their exhibition series in advance of the World Baseball Classic. (Screencap via VivaNicaragua13)
