USA Houston Holds Off Nicaragua 7-6 in Seven- Inning Thriller
HOUSTON, Texas — January 2, 2026 — USA Houston survived a late rally by Nicaragua to claim a thrilling 7-6 victory in a seven-inning contest in Houston. USA Houston collected 11 hits and used a three-run sixth inning to build a lead that proved just enough to withstand Nicaragua's two-run seventh-inning comeback attempt.
USA Houston established an early advantage with a run in the first inning and two more in the second. Nicaragua answered with two runs in the third, cutting the deficit to 3-2. Houston added another run in the fourth before Nicaragua scored once in both the fifth and sixth innings to tie the game at 4-4.
The decisive moment came in the bottom of the sixth inning when USA Houston erupted for three runs to take a 7-4 lead. Nicaragua refused to surrender, scoring twice in the top of the seventh before Houston's pitching staff secured the final outs.
Olsin Waldorf delivered one of the game's biggest offensive performances for USA Houston, finishing with a home run and two RBIs. Bryan Aguilar provided another major contribution, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs.
Quinton Copeland collected two hits, including a triple, and scored a run. Armond Barrios added two hits and scored once, while Keelen Sloan contributed a triple, an RBI and two runs scored. Jonathan Trejo also drove in a run for Houston.
Nicaragua received an outstanding performance from Wandley Ocon , who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a stolen base. Hector Ocon added a double and two RBIs, while Jesus Marcano supplied a solo home run and scored once.
Nicaragua finished with eight hits, including doubles by Wandley Ocon, Hector Ocon and Adonos Valenzuela. The team drew five walks but struck out 12 times against Houston pitching.
On the mound, Christian Diaz started for USA Houston and worked 4 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs while striking out nine and walking one. Brendyn Nolan followed with 1 1/3 innings before Daniel Cox encountered trouble in the seventh.
With Nicaragua threatening to complete the comeback, Eric Yelding entered and delivered a scoreless final inning. Yelding did not allow a hit or a walk and struck out two batters to preserve the one-run victory.
For Nicaragua, starter Jose Noel worked 3 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits and four runs while recording three strikeouts. D. Seganesi provided 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief before Wandley Ocon pitched the sixth, when Houston scored three unearned runs.
USA Houston finished with seven runs on 11 hits and committed one error. Nicaragua scored six runs on eight hits while committing two errors.
The contest lasted three hours and 13 minutes and featured three home runs, a tied game entering the bottom of the sixth inning and a dramatic final- inning rally. USA Houston's timely hitting and late-inning relief pitching ultimately made the difference in a closely contested international baseball matchup.
Final Score: USA Houston 7, Nicaragua 6
Game Highlights: Olsin Waldorf and Jesus Marcano homered; Bryan Aguilar doubled twice; Christian Diaz struck out nine; Eric Yelding closed the game with a scoreless seventh inning.
