Taipei City. Five days are in the books at the II 12U Baseball World Cup. Two are left on the schedule in the first round, following the rest day on Tuesday. Japan remains undefeated, improving to 5-0 after a win over Brazil. However they needed once again extra innings to keep a tough opponent at bay. Earlier on Monday Italy came back from a 0-3 deficit against the Czech Republic thanks to Andrea Pasotto’s big hits.
In the other four matchups the favorites prevailed as predicted. Mexico rode three home runs to a win over the Philippines. The United States scored early and often to overpower Hong Kong. Panama got its second victory of the evening in a lopsided victory over Pakistan. Korea played almost flawlessly in a shutout against Russia.
On Tuesday all 14 teams in the 12U Baseball World Cup will be off, resting and going sightseeing in Taipei City. When play resumes on Wednesday, Brazil will face Italy in the morning at Tien-Mou in a key matchup in the race for the quarterfinals in Group A. Panama takes on Hong Kong and the United States square off with Russia. In the afternoon the Czech Republic will conclude their first round schedule against Mexico. Pakistan does the same against Venezuela. In the evening Chinese Taipei is playing against the Philippines.
Mexico 10 – Philippines 0
Kevin Garcia hit two of three Mexican home runs in a 10-0 win over the Philippines in the morning game at Tien-Mou Stadium on Monday. Mexico scored in four of the five played innings. Claudio Galvez and Victor Moreno combined to throw a five-hit shutout.
USA 18 – Hong Kong 0
Team USA rebounded from a loss to Venezuela on Sunday to defeat Hong Kong 18-0 at Shing-Sheng Stadium on Monday morning. The US squad led off the game with eight consecutive hits including a two-run home run by Elijah Ricks. Anthony Hall and Colton Olasin didn’t allow any hits on the mound.
Panama 29 – Pakistan 0
Panama didn’t show any mercy in a 29-0 rout over Pakistan. Four inside the park home runs paced the Central American squad. Derek Arroyo had two to drive in six runs. Rennie Arjona and Krysnar Grandison also raced out the diamond. Gamaliel Gonzalez threw a one-hitter. Syed M. Shah had the lone hit for Pakistan.
Italy 6 – Czech Republic 3
In an all European matchup at Tien-Mou in the afternoon the people in the stands saw two different games. In the beginning the Czech Republic dominated and built a 3-0 lead. But after a pitching change Italy got back into the contest, tied the game and with three runs in the fifth sealed the deal. Andrea Pasotto had two big two-run doubles.
Russia 0 – Korea 16
Korea was nearly perfect in a 16-0 victory over Russia in the afternoon game at Youth Park. Pitchers Jun Ho Kim, Dong Wook Kwon, Tae Ho Eom and Ho Jun Kwon only allowed one base runner in the game, which also was quickly erased on a double play.
Brazil 6 – Japan 10
For a second time in the tournament Japan needed extra innings to beat an opponent. On Monday evening they held off Brazil 10-6 in seven frames. Four runs in the top of the sixth thanks to a bases loaded walk and a pair of errors were enough. Brazil had one of the favorites at the edge, but remains in the race for the final round.
Standings
Group A
1) Japan 5-0
2) Chinese Taipei 3-1
3) Brazil 2-2
4) Italy 2-2
4) Mexico 2-2
6) Czech Republic 1-4
7) Philippines
Group B
1) Venezuela 4-0
2) Korea 4-1
3) USA 3-1
4) Panama 2-2
5) Russia 1-3
5) Hong Kong 1-3
7) Pakistan 0-5
Schedule
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Rest Day
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
10:00 Brazil – Japan (Tien-Mou)
10:00 Panama – Hong Kong (Shing-Sheng)
10:00 USA – Russia (Youth Park)
14:00 Czech Republic – Mexico (Tien-Mou)
14:00 Pakistan – Venezuela (Youth Park)
18:30 Philippines – Chinese Taipei (Tien-Mou)
(local times)
