August 1, 2006

Panama's comeback fall short
Dugout

Trailing by five runs in the bottom of the sixth, Panama put its bats to work for the final six outs of its game against Louisiana.

But the U.S. Southwest team was able to hold Panama to four runs during that time, preserving a 10-9 victory in the Big League World Series.

The victory evened Louisiana's record at 1-1 in the BLWS, and kept alive its chances of appearing in Friday night's pool championship series.

Panama fell to 1-1.

The stage for this slugfest was set in the first inning when Josh Burnside of Louisiana hit a home run on the second pitch of the game.

T.J. Brister then reached base after being hit by a pitch, and advanced on Dusty Garner's single. Jamey Bradshaw reached on an error, then Camp McCormick drove in two runs with a single.

Panama answered answered in the bottom of the first inning when David Montilla led off with a single, then came home on a two-run homer by Otto Castillo that cut the Southwest's lead to 3-2.

In the third inning Dusty Garner led off with a single for Louisiana. Back-to-back home runs by Clark Craft and Josh Beckham gave the Southwest team a 6-2 lead.

Panama's Pedro Ulloa, David Montilla and Otto Castillo drew walks to load the bases. Einar Atencio drove two runs in with a single. A third run came in on a fielder's choice play, closing the gap to Louisiana 6, Panama 5.

Louisiana took control of the game in the fifth inning, scoring four runs. After Jamey Bradshaw's singles, Josh Beckham, Chris McCormack, Mitch Best and Tyler Nance all drew walks. Josh Burnside and Graham Fuller each had singles before Panama could earn the inning's third out.