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Long homer carries Panama to win

A closer look at the 3-2 win by Latin America Region champion Aguadulce, Panama, over Asia-Pacific champ Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday at Volunteer Stadium.

PLAY OF THE GAME: Panama’s Esmith Pineda hit a 320-foot home run to left-center field, beyond the second fence, in the fifth inning.

PANAMA PLAYER OF THE GAME: It has to be Pineda, whose hit was one of four for both teams in the game.

SOUTH KOREA PLAYER OF THE GAME: Seum Kwon had the only hit, a dribbler in the top of the sixth. He also scored a run.

HOME RUNS: There was Pineda, and that was all Panama needed.

FLASHING LEATHER: South Korea third baseman Youbin Choi dug a Leonardo Bernal grounder out of the dirt and threw to first, where Wontae Cho had to dig it out of the dirt to get the out. Chou also started a 5-4-3 double play on a Pineda grounder to end the inning.

BIG INNING: South Korea took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning when Jungtaek Ru caught Panama napping and reached second on a walk after he pulled a bunt attempt. He then scored when Kwon reached on an infield error. Kwon scored on a Choi sacrifice fly. Panama infielders were slumping their shoulders and slow to leave the infield after the third out when manager Luis Gonzalez reminded them they still hadn’t allowed a hit despite trailing.

WHAT THE ADULTS SAY: Gonzalez didn’t know this was the first time a Korean team had lost in the nation’s four trips to the LLWS. “We were down at one point, but we had to know we were only one hit away and they didn’t have any,” Gonzalez said through an interpreter.

WHAT THE KIDS SAY: Pineda said he never hit a home run as far as 320 feet, but was only thinking about taking the lead at that point.

WHAT IT MEANS: South Korea drops into an elimination game vs. Nuevo Leon, Mexico, at 3 p.m. today at Lamade Stadium. Panama is off until the International title game Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Lamade Stadium.

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