First Round at 12U Baseball World Cup concludes on Thursday
Eight teams already qualified for Quarterfinals
Taipei City. On Thursday the first round at the II 12U Baseball World Cup will be concluded with six games. In the morning Korea squares off with the United States, while Brazil takes on the Philippines and Venezuela plays against Panama. In the afternoon Japan clashes with Mexico and Russia faces Hong Kong. In the evening Italy tries to upset host Chinese Taipei.
The quarterfinals will be played on Friday with the top four teams of each preliminary round pool to qualify for the final phase. The participants are already decided with Japan, Chinese Taipei, Brazil and Mexico advancing to the next round out of Pool A. From Pool B Venezuela, the USA, Korea and Panama are qualified for the quarters.
On Wednesday play resumed following the rest day. For the Czech Republic and Pakistan the tournament ended with losses to Mexico respective Venezuela. Additionally Brazil edged out Italy, Panama beat Hong Kong, Team USA defeated Russia and Chinese Taipei held off the Philippines.
Brazil 5 – Italy 2
Brazil scored early in a 5-2 victory over Italy in the morning game at Tien-Mou Stadium on Wednesday. In the sixth they stopped a rally by the Squadra Azzurri in time. Victor Gurenji pitched four scoreless two-hit innings and drove in three at the plate to lead Brazil in the winning effort.
Panama 15 – Hong Kong 0
Panama scored ten runs in the first en route to a 15-0 victory over Hong Kong. Leonardo Jimenez homered and drove in five, missing the cycle by a single. Three pitchers combined to throw a one-hit shutout for Panama.
USA 19 – Russia 0
For the third time in the tournament the United States no-hit an opponent at the II 12U Baseball World Cup. Yohandy Morales, Garrett McMillan and Evan Godwin combined to issue just a pair of walks in the game to lead the US squad to a 19-0 win over Russia. Adam Crampton scored four times. Joseph Naranjo drove in four.
Czech Republic 0 – Mexico 13
Kevin Garcia hit his fourth home run of the tournament to lead Mexico to a 13-0 shutout over the Czech Republic in the afternoon at Tien-Mou. Ten runs in the last two frames turned the game into a blowout. Anezka Bartonova had kept the Czech team in the game, controlling the Mexican bats in the first three-plus innings. Luis Castellanos and Jesus Villegas combined to throw a three-hitter.
Pakistan 0 – Venezuela 24
In the afternoon game at Youth Park Venezuela scored 19 runs in the first two innings in a 24-0 win over Pakistan. Carlos Fernandez hit for the cycle, going 4-for-5 with four runs and four RBI. Gabriel Moncada also drove in four. Jose Aguilar scored four times as well. On the mound Juan Pedro Campos and Diego Cartaya kept Pakistan to two base runners through four scoreless innings.
Philippines 0 – Chinese Taipei 17
Chinese Taipei scored eight runs in the second en route to a 17-0 win over the Philippines in the evening game at Tien-Mou Stadium. Chih-Heng Chiu hit two of the three CT home runs in the game, scoring four times and driving in four. Efrician Mercado had both hits for the Philippines.
Standings
Group A
1) Japan 5-0
2) Chinese Taipei 4-1
3) Brazil 3-2
4) Mexico 3-2
5) Italy 2-3
6) Czech Republic 1-5
7) Philippines 0-5
Group B
1) Venezuela 5-0
2) Korea 4-1
2) USA 4-1
4) Panama 3-2
5) Hong Kong 1-4
5) Russia 1-4
7) Pakistan 0-6
Schedule
Thursday, July 25, 2013
10:00 Brazil – Philippines (Shing-Sheng)
10:00 Korea – USA (Tien-Mou)
10:00 Venezuela – Panama (Youth Park)
14:00 Japan – Mexico (Tien-Mou)
14:00 Russia – Hong Kong (Youth Park)
18:30 Italy – Chinese Taipei (Tien-Mou)
(local times)
