Panama pitchers rack up six strikeouts in triumph over Germany

Starter Dylan Williams and reliever Elian Gordon combined for six strikeouts to help World No. 14 Panama to a 9-2 win over No.19 Germany at the VII WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup. Panama finished eighth overall ahead of Germany.

Germany took an early lead, scoring one run with Gideon Kutzner’s double to right centre, sending Felipe Morales home in the top of the first.

In the bottom half of the frame, Panama’s Yunieski Sanchez and Alain Cruz scored on a throwing error, going ahead at 2-1. They never needed to look back.

At the bottom of the second, Panama presented their whole lineup at-bat and rallied to add six more runs and extend the lead to 8-1.

In the third, Abdel Vigil doubled a liner down to left field, driving in Javier Acevedo and making it 9-1.

Germany performed a double play at the bottom of the fourth and ended the inning with a ground-out.

Germany had a chance to score in the fifth, when Constantin Bieth singled through the left side and loaded the bases with no one out. Panama switched to reliever Gordon, who got out of the jam and limited Germany to one run, ending the game at 9-2.