Shing-Sheng/Taipei City. Panama scored ten runs in the first inning of a 15-0 win over Hong Kong on Wednesday morning at Shing-Sheng Stadium. After the opening period Hong Kong was able to shut down Panama’s offense slightly, but couldn’t do anything at the plate to get back into the game. Panama improved to 3-2, securing a spot in the quarterfinals. Hong Kong dropped to 1-4.
Leonardo Jimenez led all batters, going 3-for-4 with a home run, a triple, a double and five RBI. He missed the cycle by a single. Derek Arroyo drove in three. 12 different players scored in the game. Tsz Yin Jordan Wen had Hong Kong’s lone hit with a single in the top of the fourth.
Wen also got charged with the loss, surrendering four hits, six runs (2 ER) and a walk getting just two outs in the first. Panama’s hurlers issued just two base runners in the game. Jorge Fletes, Arroyo and Ariel Vega combined to strike out eight of the 13 batters they faced.
Panama will conclude the first round on Thursday with a matchup against the undefeated Venezuelan squad in the afternoon game at Tien-Mou. Hong Kong squares off with Russia at the same time at Youth Park.
