Panama beat Australia, earn Placement Round advantage

Australia and Panama played out an exciting pitching duel. Starters Joel Hogan and Carlos Dias received the support of almost perfect defensive plays through seven innings. In the bottom of the eighth, Australia misplayed a couple of ground balls and gave Panama the chance to win it on a sacrifice fly by Eric Guevara, 3-2.

Panama scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the second. With two outs and Eduardo Tait at second, Joaquin Gamba hit a RBI single to right, then became the third out after a trap.

In the top of the fourth, Max Stagg hit a two-out double. Left fielder Nick Bertucci went down in the count 0-2, then sent the third pitch to rightfield. Gamba lost the ball in the sun, resulting in a RBI triple.

After batting in the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth, Australia's third baseman Kyan Wallington failed to get the tie-break lead runner on a bunt by Pedro Catuy. Luis Escudero followed with a soft roller that went over the glove of first baseman Declan Speirs and gave Panama the tying run.

Eric Guevara sent a deep fly to right, enough for Omar Reluz to score from third and walk it off.

The win sees Panama take a 2-0 win-loss record through to the Placement Round with Australia at 1-1.