Youth Park/Taipei City. Panama scored six runs in the first three innings to beat Korea in the game for fifth place at the II 12U Baseball World Cup in Taipei City. The Central Americans controlled the match from the start secured fifth place in their first ever participation. Korea improved from seventh to sixth, compared to the inaugural edition in 2011.

It didn’t take long and Panama was up 2-0 in the first. Leonardo Jimenez got them ahead with a RBI triple and later crossed the plate on Rennie Arjona’s groundout. In the second triples by Luis Velasco and Jorge Fletes highlighted a three-run rally. A RBI fielder’s choice by Austin Guerra put the final nail into the coffin in the third. Korea only was able to avoid the shutout, when they came through with Ju Yong Euom’s run after an error.

Derek Arroyo got the start for Panama, conceding just two hits, an unearned run and two walks in six impressive innings. He struck out six for the win. Ji Min Kim got charged with the loss, surrendering four hits and five runs (3 ER) in two frames. Ju Yong Euom and Hyo Bin Ahn closed it out.