A 12-run second inning propels Canada past Puerto Rico in an elimination game Saturday
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Canada kept its Little League World Series run alive with a 12-5 win against Puerto Rico
A capsule look at Canada's 12-5 win against Puerto Rico on Saturday afternoon at Volunteer Stadium.
PLAY OF THE GAME -- Raymon Dhasi's two-run single: Dhasi helped get Canada's offense going in the second inning with his shallow two-run single into the gap into left field which brought in two and helped get Canada's offense sparked. From there, Canada kept up its pace and plated 12 runs before the third out was recorded.
CANADA PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Eric Popovich: The Canadian outfielder went 2 for 3 with a double, had two RBIs and scored a run to help propel Canada's offense. He also relieved Ronan Bobiles on the mound and closed the game out, throwing 1 1/3 innings of work and not allowing a single hit or issuing a walk, doing so on just 13 pitches, nine of which were for strikes.
PUERTO RICO PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Leugim Beltran: The starting third baseman for Puerto Rico finished the game offensively with a 2 for 2 day -- the only player from Puerto Rico with multiple hits -- and had two RBIs with two runs scored. He also had the only extra-base hit of the game for Puerto Rico by crushing a triple.
BIG INNING--Canada's second: Canada's offense exploded for all 12 of its runs in the second inning. After trailing 3-0 after the first inning, Canada broke the game open and never looked back. Puerto Rico used two pitchers in the second inning between Jonyel Cordero and Jeiluis Torres, but Canada was able to score runs no matter who was on the mound in the second inning.
BEST EFFORT--Canada's pitching: Puerto Rico entered the game with a lineup capable of producing hits, but Canada's Ronan Bobiles and Eric Popvich combined to keep Puerto Rico's offense relatively quiet. Puerto Rico scored three runs off the bat, but Bobiles settled in and threw 4 2/3 innings before he was relieved after reaching the 85 pitch count with seven strikeouts and scattering five hits. Popovich then threw 1 1/3 innings of no-hit baseball to close out the game and secure the victory.
WHAT IT MEANS--Canada advances to face Matamoros, Mexico on Sunday at 11 a.m. in an elimination game at Volunteer Stadium. Puerto Rico concludes its run at the Little League World Series following an 0-2 mark. Puerto Rico fell to Japan in its opener, 11-0, before Saturday's loss.