Panama earns first win, Chinese Taipei makes huge step towards super round

Panama earned the first win in the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup as they defeated South Africa, 17-2 in five innings.

Panama scored in each of its four at-bats and the lineup combined for 12 hits. Second baseman Jean Arnaez, who plays in the Dominican Summer League for the Toronto Blue Jays, went 3 for 4 with a double and four RBIs. Also left fielder Benyamin Bailey, who plays at the same level for the Pittsburgh Pirates, had four RBIs.

Israel Mendoza pitched four innings of no-hit ball but South Africa got to reliever Abel Reyes with a couple of hits, by third baseman Luke November and right fielder Regan Panzerberger, and scored with some little help from a defensive error.

Chinese Taipei defeated Spain, 5-4, and made a huge step towards the super round. Spain, after trailing for the whole game, came just one run short from tying it in the top of the eighth.

For most of the game, it looked like a relatively easy win for Chinese Taipei. After breaking the tie in the bottom of the second thanks to a wild pitch by Spanish starter Delson Guzman, Chinese Taipei extended the lead in the bottom of the third on a single by shortstop Chen Tsung Che and a double by second baseman Lee Hao You.

Livan Delgado took the mound for Spain and his control issues helped Chinese Taipei score two more runs.

Spain’s line up hadn’t had success against starter Lin Yu Min. Reliever Pan Wei Hun allowed a double to shortstop Ricardo Van Grieken to lead off the eighth and hit the next batter. Pan left for Yu Chien, who allowed a double to catcher Juan Gonzalez and was then hurt by a defensive error. A wild pitch made it a one-run game.

Yu Chien struck out the side in the top of the ninth to seal the win.