31/07/2023 1 Minute Read

Panama land their first win with 19-0 defeat of New Zealand

Panama's Javier Acevedo hit two home runs, and Alain Cruz and Yunieski Sanchez each hit one. Starting pitcher Zayth Melendez (pictured) perfect over four innings.

With both teams seeking their first win in the 2023 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup, Panama scored early and closed the game early in four innings with four home runs to defeat the New Zealand 19-0.

Alain Cruz hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first. Panama presented the whole lineup at-bat in the second, adding 16 more runs, including two of Javier Acevedo’s three-RBI homers, Yunieski Sanchez’s two-RBI homer, extending the lead to 17-0.

In the third, Carlos Antonio Aragon singled to first base, sending Acevedo to home plate. Panama then extended the lead to 19-0 after Sanchez’s triple drove Carlos Antonio Aragon’s run.

Panama starter Zayth Melendez shut out New Zealand and delivered a no-hitter game. He pitched four innings, striking out six.

Panama is now 1-2, ranking in fifth place in Group B. Czechia and Panama will face each other on Tuesday, 31 July, at 11.00 local time.

New Zealand will face the Dominican Republic at 14.30.