Mc Lean does it all, USA beat Panama. Spain scores 18 against South Africa

The USA beat Panama, 5-4, and improved their record to 4-1. Nolan Mc Lean homered in the bottom of the fifth and pitched two innings of one-hit ball.

Left fielder Robert Hassell broke the tie in the bottom of the first when he homered off Panama’s starter Jorge Garcia with Crow-Armstrong at first.

Colby Halter doubled in the bottom of the second and ran all the way to home plate on a pair of defensive errors. He also was on board in the bottom of the second when Mc Lean homered and made it 5-0, sending Garcia to the showers.

Relievers Jonathan Amaya and Abel Reyes blanked the USA line up and Panama tried a comeback against Aaron Vukovich, who had relieved starter Kyle Harrison in the top of the fifth.

Vukocich got some help from third baseman Drew Bowser, who robbed Luis Tello of a hit with an outstanding diving stop, to get out of the sixth, but gave up three runs in the top of the sixth on base hits by right fielder Josè Ramos, designated hitter Benyamin Bailey and backup catcher Danilo Abrego.

Nolan Mc Lean took the mound in the top of the seventh and worked two innings allowing only a hit. Colby Halter took care of the last three outs.

Japan, the USA and Chinese Taipei are heading to the super round sharing the same record and will all start from 1-1. The Team Quality Balance (TQB) determined the seeding, that is relevant for the order of the super round schedule. Japan will be number one, the USA number two and Chinese Taupei number three.

Spain defeated South Africa, 16-8, and earned the second win in group play. Spain will now head to the consolation round with a 2-0 record.

South Africa enjoyed in the top of the second a lead for the first time in the tournament. First baseman Corbin Greenslade doubled and a couple of errors helped South Africa score twice.

Spain thrived themselves on errors and on a wild pitch to reverse the lead in the bottom half of the frame.

Two triples, by shortstop Jostin Castillo and center fielder Franck Hernandez, and a double by third baseman Ruben Fernandez against reliever Kian Schwartz opened the score in the bottom of the sixth.

Jorge Mairal earned the win for Spain going 6.1 innings and allowing only two earned runs.
South Africa cut the gap scoring four runs against reliever David Arza in the top of the eighth. Third baseman Jaimé Lang hightlighted the at-bat with a two-RBI double.