15U: Solid Pitching, Team Defense Pushes Team USA Past Panama, 4-2

From the mound, Diaz was in control from the jump and nabbed two quick strikeouts in the opening frame. After the two strikeouts, the southpaw leaned on his defense to keep Panama scoreless before passing the ball to Gavin Chakar and Mier. Chakar found himself in trouble early on in his appearance after yielding two consecutive walks, but quickly registered a strikeout and forced a grounder to end the inning. Mier came on in relief and pitched the final three innings to secure the U.S. victory.

At the plate, Lappe led the way with three hits and was the first player to put Team USA on the board with one of his two doubles. Tristin Gaines and Nateo Victorio followed with RBIs of their own in the top of the second frame, which capped a three-run inning for the U.S.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The U.S. struck quickly in the top of the first inning after Colin Anderson scored on Lappe’s RBI double to right field.
• After taking a 1-0 lead, Diaz was called on to start the tournament and opened the game with a five-pitch strikeout. A throwing error put a Panama runner on base, but Diaz rapidly tallied another strikeout and forced a groundout to preserve the lead.
• The top of the second proved crucial for Team USA as it scored three of its four runs in the frame. Jason Marll Jr. kicked things off as he doubled while Anthony Frausto drew a walk to put runners on the base paths. Victorio took advantage and plated the second run of the game via a sacrifice fly.
• Gaines scored Frausto to continue the rally thanks to a dropped fly ball from the left fielder. Macgraw VanWormer pushed Gaines across the plate after he reached on a throwing error to cap a three-run second inning and extend the lead to four runs.
• Panama responded in the bottom of the fourth, however, as two consecutive walks were followed by a double down the left field line to cut the lead to three runs and make it 4-1.
• After a scoreless top of the fifth, Mier came on to pitch for Team USA. He made an immediate impact when he notched two strikeouts to push the U.S. into the sixth with a three-run advantage.
• Then, Panama’s Lopez de Jesus closed the gap to 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth on a hard-hit double through the left side.
• With tension rising and momentum slightly shifting, U.S. bats got back in action in the top of the seventh. Back-to-back singles from Lappe and Cullen Scott, followed by an intentional walk issued to Frausto loaded the bases for the stars and stripes. Team USA could not capitalize on the opportunity leaving Panama just a two-run deficit to overcome in the bottom of the seventh.
• Mier and the defense were lights out yet again as he grabbed another punchout and forced another two outs to secure a 4-2 victory for the U.S.

NOTABLES

• Lappe tallied a game-high three total hits in the tournament opener. His pair of doubles also helped him lead the way with five total bases.
• Frausto had a good eye at the plate the entire game as he drew the most walks in the game with four.
• Landon King, Noah Jarolimek, Frausto, and Gaines each registered a stolen base, providing Team USA with four on the day compared to Panama’s zero.
• The stars and stripes forced three double plays in today’s contest versus Panama.

ON DECK
Team USA is back in action on Sunday for a game against Nicaragua. Game time is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. MDT/5:00 p.m. ET at Estadio Juárez Vive in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.