Youth Park/Taipei City. Mexico, which went a perfect 5-0 during the first round of the inaugural edition in 2011, continued its round robin dominance also in the opener of the II 12U Baseball World Cup. On Thursday morning they erased an early 0-3 deficit and defeated Italy 6-3 at Youth Park. Four runs combined in the fourth and fifth completed the comeback.
Italy started perfectly, scoring three runs in the top of the first. Andrea Orrasch singled in the 1-0 lead with two outs. Afterwards Mexico’s shortstop threw the ball away on an infield single by Gabriele Marras to bring Orrasch and Andrea Pasotto home for a three-run advantage.
But it was the last time Italy would score this morning. Mexico slowly chipped away the deficit. Kevin Garcia had a pair of RBI singles in the first and third to make it 2-3. An error on a groundball by Jesus Marrufo helped Mexico to tie the game in the fourth. A RBI double by Omar Ballesteros brought home the go-ahead run moments later. A RBI triple by Jesus Castillo and the following sac fly by Christian Chavez added some insurance for Mexico in the fifth.
Kevin Garcia, who also pitched a scoreless inning, led the way at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a run and two RBI. Martin Olivas pitched 4 1/3 innings to pick up the win. He conceded eight hits, three runs (2 ER) and a walk, while striking out three. Samuele Catalano issued three hits, four runs (2 ER) and a base on balls in three relief innings to take the loss.
Mexico will face Brazil on Friday morning at Tien-Mou Stadium, while Italy will have the day off. On Saturday they will resume play at the II 12U Baseball World Cup against the Philippines.
