Damián Villanueva

Dionisio Damián Villanueva Barahona

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 179 lb.

• School Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College

• Born June 7, 1986 in Guayaquil Ecuador

Biographical Information

Damián Villanueva has pitched for the Ecuadorian national team.

As a teenager, Villanueva beat Argentina in the 2004 South American Championship, handing them their lone loss of the event. Ecuador won the Bronze. He allowed 10 hits, 8 walks and 12 runs in 4 2/3 IP in the 2006 COPABE Olympic Qualifiers, posting Ecuador's second-highest ERA; Carlos Mancheno was higher. He struggled in outings against the Dominican national team and Panamanian national team. Going to college in the US, he was 6-1 with a 5.30 ERA for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in 2009-2010 after having trouble returning to school due to a lost passport. He did not fare as well against Argentina in the finale of the 2011 South American Championship as he had 7 years ago versus them. Relieving Israel Saldarriaga with two on, one out and a 2-0 deficit, he allowed a Jacinto Cipriota triple, then was succeeded by Arturo Calle.

Sources include 2006 COPABE Olympic qualifiers, Biography of Villanueva, NJCAA, 2011 South American Championship