Nicaragua eliminates Panama, advances in Little League World Series
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A closer look at the 8-1 Managua, Nicaragua win over Aguadulce, Panama on Tuesday at Volunteer Stadium.
PLAY OF THE GAME -- Luis García three run home run: In the very first plate appearance following a rain delay, Nicaragua shortstop Luis García drove runners on the corners, along with himself, home with a shot over the center wall.
García pulled off a lofty bat flip, raised his arms and hyped up the Nicaragua fan section with some much needed excitement after the lull of yet another pause in action due to the weather. His three run homer broke open what was a scoreless game in the top of the fourth inning.
NICARAGUA PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Johan Saravia: Johan Saravia was a weapon both on the mound and at the plate. With the bat in his hands, he went 4 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored. He also struck out six with no hits or runs let up through 31 pitches and three innings of work.
PANAMA PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Jeykol de Leon: Jeykol de Leon paced Aguadulce's offense by going 2 for 3 at the plate. Panama recorded three hits while Nicaruaga had eight.
BIG INNING -- The fifth inning: Upon seeing its three-run lead shrink to two, Nicaragua's offense doubled down and extended it to four in the top of the fifth inning.
Behind three hits, an error and a sacrifice fly from García, Erick González also scored on a groundout to add even more cushion after Panama inched closer on the scoreboard a frame prior.
In the bottom half, Saravia struck out the order. By putting up two runs in the top and not allowing a Panama player to reach base in the bottom, Nicaragua made sure to enter the final inning with more than enough leverage to survive and advance.
BEST EFFORT -- After letting up three runs in the top of the fourth inning, Panama responded in the bottom half. Center fielder Jaime Escuardo led off with a base hit followed by a double from de Leon.
A walk loaded the bases and a groundout from Gabriel de Gracia forced in a run. With two outs to go, Saravia dialed in and struck out his next two batters to limit Managua's damage to just one run.
FLASHING LEATHER -- Through the first three innings, both teams had just one hit. No one reached base in the second inning and Panama went down in order twice.
WHAT THE ADULTS SAY -- "The message was to trust in God and trust in ourselves," Marlon Chávez said. "If we trust in ourselves, we'll be winning."
"The Nicaragua team was superior today," Panama manager Ubaldo Ramos IV said. "The kids enjoyed their time in Williamsport."
WHAT THE KIDS SAY -- "I was very happy having four hits in this game and my team was supporting them," Saravia said. "And all the people supporting me from the stands, that was a special moment for me."
WHAT IT MEANS -- Gabriel Gutiérrez and Saravia both added RBIs and a passed ball brought in another run, ensuring Managua's season will continue.
With the loss, Panama has been eliminated from the 2022 Little League World Series. Nicaragua advances in the elimination bracket and will face the winner between Canada and Curaçao at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at Volunteer Stadium.