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A three-run first inning helped set the tone for Tijuana, Mexico as the Mexico Region champions earned a 7-1 win against Sydney, Australia in Friday's early game at Volunteer Stadium.
Australia wasn't able to get timely hits to put runs on the board, stranding six runners on base and scoring just one run in the fifth inning which cut the deficit to 5-1. But Australia was held scoreless in the sixth and couldn't rally.
Mexico collected just three hits in the win, but took advantage of three Australia errors and seven walks to score runs.
Mexico scored twice in the bottom of the third inning to take a 5-0 lead. Australia scored in the top of the fifth to make it a 5-1 game, but Mexico answered in the bottom of the fifth inning with a two-run outburst to gain some insurance runs.
Australia was led by Edin Becirevic, who went 2 for 2 and was the game's only batter with multiple hits. Daniel Warwick went 1 for 3, Aaron Dare went 1 for 2, Jayden Lee went 1 for 2 and Hikaru Kaneko scored a run and was walked.
Mexico was led by Jorge Fonseca who went 1 for 2 with an RBI, walk and three runs scored. Gareth Garcia went 1 for 2 wtih two RBIs, a run and a walk and Gael Santamaria went 1 for 2.
This is Ryde Little League's first trip at the Little League World Series. The league qualified in 2021, but the tournament was a United States-only field and Australia wasn't able to come.
With the loss, Australia is back in action on Saturday afternoon against Canada in an elimination game at 1 p.m. at Volunteer Stadium. Mexico advances in the winners' bracket and advances to Sunday to play either Nicaragua or Panama at Volunteer Stadium at 11 a.m.