Panama, Korea ‘Super’ in U-23 Baseball World Cup; Nicaragua wins epic battle
Worlds No. 3 Korea and No. 15 Panama will square off tomorrow (Tues., 1 Nov.) for first place in Group A as both countries won their matches Monday afternoon to remain undefeated in the inaugural WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup® 2016.
MONTERREY, Mexico – Worlds No. 3 Korea and No. 15 Panama will square off tomorrow (Tues., 1 Nov.) for first place in Group A as both countries won their matches Monday afternoon to remain undefeated in the inaugural WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup® 2016.
Korea defeated No. 7 Venezuela, while Panama beat No. 36 South Africa. No. 18 Nicaragua won a back-and-forth, extra-inning battle against No. 4 Chinese Taipei.
Korea and Panama have claimed two of the six spots available in the elite Super Round, ahead of the final Opening Round (Day 5) games tomorrow.
Game 19: Panama 9, South Africa 1
Panama (4-0) kept their unbeaten streak alive as they handed South Africa (0-4) a 9-1 loss.
Panama starter Gabriel Armando Henry Valdez worked seven innings on the mound and struck out seven to earn the win, while South Africa starter Garth Allan Cahill took the loss.
Leading 3-1 entering the 5th inning, Panama scored six runs to take a commanding lead as Gerald Josymar Chin Dixon tripled in two runs before Obed Ayarza Miranda added a two-run single.
Game 20: Nicaragua 10, Chinese Taipei 5
Cesar Javier Diaz Molina belted his second home run of the game in the top of the 10th inning to highlight a 5-run inning as Nicaragua (2-2) defeated Chinese Taipei (1-3), 10-5.
Trailing 5-4 with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, Chung yu Chen blasted an opposite field home run to score to send the game into extras.
Diaz Molina finished with five RBI and Javier Eliezer Robles Vivas hit a solo home run in the seventh that tied the score as Nicaragua hit three home runs.
Adolfo Ramon Flores Estrada picked the win with for Nicaragua, while Yen Ching Lu was tagged with the loss.
Game 21: Korea 7, Venezuela 2
Byeong-Wuk Lim’s pinch hit double with the bases loaded scored three as Korea (4-0) extended their winning streak with a 7-2 win over Venezuela (1-3).
Korea reliever Joonghyun Yoon was credited with the win, while Venezuela’s Juan Jose Vegas Roas took the loss.
Korea had eight hits including two from Sunggyu Lee who also drove in a run.
