Gonzalez grand slam lifts Panama over Japan and atop standings of U-15 Baseball World Cup

Box score

DAVID, Panama – Carlos Gonzalez’s grand slam in the first inning — minutes after an earthquake struck the region —  powered world No. 14 Panama past world No. 2 Japan in the Super Round of the U-15 Baseball World Cup. The host nation shared the win with more than 5,000 spectators at Kenny Serracín Stadium Friday night.

Panama received 3.1 scoreless innings on the mound from Rance Pinilla Vargas who earned the win.

Panama U-15 National Team star shortstop Reginald Preciado (.409) stayed hot, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored.

Japan starting pitcher Kyohei Akiyama allowed the grand slam in the first inning and was tagged with the loss.

Standings !!!! #U15WorldCup pic.twitter.com/JJ0tekvqBx

— WBSC #U15WorldCup ⚾ (@WBSC) August 18, 2018

The win for Panama places the host nation in a tie for first place with USA heading into the final day of the Super Round. Both Panama and USA control their own fates: win Saturday and they will compete on Sunday For the Title of World Champion in the grand finale of the U-15 Baseball World Cup 2018.

Panama will face the Dominican Republic on Saturday, while world No. 1 USA will battle world No. 2 Japan. Two-time defending U-15 World Champions Cuba will face Chinese Taipei.

With one day also remaining in the Consolation Round, Brazil has already secured 7th Place in the U-15 Baseball World Cup with an 11-1 victory over Netherlands today.