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Team USA Edges Dominican Republic to Reach Finals

3/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Team USA defeated the Dominican Republic 2-1 in the World Baseball Classic semifinals to reach the championship.
The game at LoanDepot Park drew 36,337 fans.
Junior Caminero opened the Dominican Republic's scoring with a home run.
Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony hit back-to-back home runs for the United States to give them the lead.
Team USA will face the winner of the Italy-Venezuela semifinal on March 17.

History

Historical Context

The inaugural World Baseball Classic (WBC) took place from March 3 to March 20, 2006, featuring 16 teams, including the USA and Dominican Republic. This landmark event, organized by Major League Baseball and the International Baseball Federation, attracted over 737,000 fans and marked a significant step in promoting baseball globally, particularly in Latin America, where the sport holds deep cultural significance.

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Story summary

Team USA defeated the Dominican Republic 2-1 in the World Baseball Classic semifinals to reach the championship.
The game at LoanDepot Park drew 36,337 fans.
Junior Caminero opened the Dominican Republic's scoring with a home run.
Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony hit back-to-back home runs for the United States to give them the lead.
Team USA will face the winner of the Italy-Venezuela semifinal on March 17.

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