Panama's Ruben Canto (3) delivers a pitch against Czech Republic during the fifth inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport on Wednesday.

A closer look at Panama’s 4-0 opening LLWS series victory over Czech Republic on Wednesday at Volunteer Stadium.

PLAY OF THE GAME — In the bottom of the fourth inning with the game knotted up at 0-0, Panama managed to get three players on base with two walks and a single. That’s when starting pitcher Omar Vargas came up to bat and delivered a grand slam to centerfield to open the tight, defensive battle right up. The grand slam proved huge, as it provided Panama with the game’s only runs.

PANAMA PLAYER OF THE GAME — Owen Vargas — On top of hitting the grand slam that gave Panama a four-run lead, Vargas went 2-of-2 at bat and put up an incredible four-inning performance from the mound.

For the first four innings, every out Panama garnered came from a Vargas strikeout, with the pitcher finishing the game with 12 strikeouts and one walk against 13 batters on 53 pitches. He was incredibly impactful throughout the game and was the biggest component in the team’s opening victory.

CZECH REPUBLIC PLAYER OF THE GAME — Krystof Silar and Denis Ondrousek — The two pitchers got Czech through the first three innings without surrendering a run, which allowed it to maintain an even score of until the bottom of the fourth. They combined for two strikeouts, three allowed hits and one walk.

BIG INNING — In the top of the sixth, Czech Republic found itself with runners on first and second after a walk and a dropped third strike, which put itself in position to make things interesting with one out left to spare.

But Allan Rodriguez pitched three straight strikes to send Panama to the next round, allowing his team to finish the game without surrendering a single run.

BEST EFFORT — Czech Republic’s defense held firm through the first three innings, but that doesn’t mean Panama didn’t cause them trouble early on. They attributed a hit in each of the first two innings, along with getting Czech Republic starting pitcher Krystof Silar to nearly 40 pitches heading into the third. Czech Republic opted to switch pitchers after the second, and that led to its steady decline.

FLASHING LEATHER — Though Omar Vargas stole the show on the mound, his relievers didn’t give up any ground either. The bull pen as a whole contributed 18 total strikeouts in 22 batters faced and pitched a collective no hitter.

WHAT THE ADULTS SAY — “It’s very important always to get that first win, and the team already got that win,” said Panama manager Oliver Arcia through a translator. “The (upcoming) team from Venezuela is a good team. We’ve watched them practice. It’s going to be a battle next game.

WHAT THE KIDS SAY — “I was a little bit nervous in the beginning, but after that I just put in my mind that I just need to focus and concentrate,” said starting pitcher Omar Vargas through a translator. “Just concentrate and get those three outs.”

WHAT IT MEANS — Panama advances to the next round of the winners’ bracket, where it faces Venezuela on Friday. Czech Republic will be forced to battle through the losers’ bracket, with its first game there being against the loser of Chinese Taipei/Canada on Thursday.