by International Baseball Federation, www.ibaf.org
Chinese Taipei 8 – Italy 0
Chinese Taipei concluded the first round at the 15U Baseball World Cup in Mexcio with an 8-0 no-hitter over Italy. It was their fifth win in five games in Pool A. Pitchers Hsin-Chieh Lin, Cheng-Yun Wu and Yin-Chi Tu combined to issue just two walks in nine scoreless innings. Shao-Hua Tien scored three times. Oscar Tucci took the loss.
South Africa 10 – New Zealand 11
New Zealand overcame a nine-run rally in the third inning to down South Africa 11-10 in a thriller in Group B on Monday morning. A RBI groundout by Tama Wright Pihama in the top of the ninth turned out to be the game-winner. Brandon Gehlig had tied the game for South Africa with a RBI single in the eighth. Connor Fitzsimmons drove in three for the Kiwis, which celebrated their first win in tournament history.
USA 11 – Germany 1
Team USA completed the first round with a perfect 5-0 record following an 11-1 victory over Germany. The Americans scored in six of the eight innings played. Ten different players crossed the plate for runs. Justin Bullock threw 5 2/3 innings of no-hit, three-walk ball, striking out nine. Niklas Rimmel got charged with the loss after a wild eight-walk, five-inning outing.
Mexico 9 – Brazil 4
In a crucial matchup for second place in Group A, host Mexico prevailed 9-4 over Brazil in Culiacan. Mexico scored four runs apiece in the bottom of the fifth and the seventh to decide the outcome. Carlos Soto homered and drove in three. Luis Rodriguez pitched 5 2/3 innings for the win, issuing four hits, two unearned runs and two walks. Oscar Rojas closed it out. Igor Kimura entered the game with one out in the first, threw six innings of strong relief, but still had to settle for the loss.
Czech Republic 14 – Guatemala 3
European runner up Czech Republic earned their first win in the 15U Baseball World Cup with a 14-3 win over Guatemala, which ended their first round with a 0-5 record. The Czech team took a quick 8-2 lead and ended the contest after ten-run rule in the seventh. Dan Ondrousek scored three times and drove in three. Michal Prokes collected the win after five strong innings. Jose Marroquin took the loss.
Japan 1 – Panama 6
Panama scored two runs in the sixth and four in the ninth to stun Japan 6-1 on Monday to reach the second round and send Team Nippon to the consolation round. It was their fourth win in five games. Strong pitching by Didier Vargas and Ariel Atencio kept Japan to three hits, an unearned run in the seventh and three walks, clinching the decisive win in Group B. Keito Takeuchi matched Vargas for most of his 5 2/3 innings, but without run support suffered the loss. Japan closed out the first round with a 3-2 record.
Cuba 21 – Hong Kong 0
Once again Cuba dominated at the plate, downing Hong Kong 21-0 in five frames en route to a perfect 5-0 first round. Seven runs in the second and 13 in the third highlighted Cuba’s offense. Ernesto Martinez had a home run and a double with two runs and three RBI to lead his team. Nine players crossed the plate at least twice. Tomas Alonso earned the win with four two-hit innings. Chung Hin Ngai got charged with the loss.
Lithuania 0 – Venezuela 18
Defending champion Venezuela advanced to the second round after an 18-0 blowout against Lithuania. Ten runs in the second and seven in the fifth blew the score wide open. Maximo Castillo hit a solo home run. 11 players scored, Albert Guaimaro and Oswaldo Cabrera crossed the plate thrice. Peterson Plaz struck out eight in a complete game one-hitter. Gytis Morkunas also had to got the distance, receiving the loss.
Czech Republic 1 – Mexico 12
Mexico scored all 12 runs of a 12-1 win over the Czech Republic in the first five innings. It was a make-up game for a Sunday rainout. Marco Martinez struck out six in three scoreless innings of relief. He also went 4-for-4 with two doubles and three runs scored at the plate. Ivan Paredes drove in three. Martin Skaroupka took the loss.
Australia – Argentina
The game between Australia and Argentina got suspended due to inclement weather and will be made up on Tuesday.
First Round Standings:
Group A
1) Chinese Taipei 5-0
2) Mexico 4-1
3) Brazil 3-2
4) Italy 2-3
5) Czech Republic 1-4
6) Guatemala 0-5
Group B
1) USA 5-0
2) Panama 4-1
3) Japan 3-2
4) Germany 2-3
5) New Zealand 1-4
6) South Africa 0-5
Group C
1) Cuba 5-0
2) Venezuela 4-1
3) Argentina 2-2
3) Australia 2-2
5) Hong Kong 1-4
6) Lithuania 0-5
Coverage of the eighty-three matches of the II 15U Baseball World Cup will be enhanced by online play-by-play (i.e., CBS Sports GameTracker) and through social media (by following @BWC15U on Twitter and “BaseballWorldCup” on Facebook and Instagram; official hash tag #BWC15U).