July 30, 2006

Panama pounds U.S. Central 18-4
Dugout

Panama is making its first trip to Easley as a Latin American representative in the Big League World Series. The team made a large impression in its first game Sunday, defeating the U.S. Central team 18-4.

Narvarro was the winning pitcher for Panama, pitching four complete innings and giving up just one hit while striking out five.

Panama pounded out 18 hits, including a solo home run by Bravo in the second inning, when Panama scored 7 runs to take control of the game. Panama followed with 10 more runs in the third, putting the game far out of reach. Jimenez hit a two-run homer in the third.

Otto Castillo drove in four of Panama's runs.

U.S. Central did have a minor rally in the bottom of the fourth that started when Pete Jackson and each drew a base on balls. With one out, Kyle Wangler hit a single that brought Jackson in for District 8's first run. From there, Kyle Weber drew a walk to load the bases.

Mike Nuffsinger drove in a run with a single, and Robbi Goulette knocked another run with a ground-out. Another run scored when Mah Faiman reached on an error. But that only made the score 18-4, so when Panama earned the third out of the fifth inning, the game ended due to the 10-run rule.

U.S. Central will try to pick up its first win Wednesday night as it faces the host team, S.C. District One. Thursday U.S. Central will end Pool play with a game against U.S. Southeast.