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A pitcher's duel combined with solid defensive plays was overshadowed by a seventh inning which decided the game.
With the International rule in play, giving each team a starting runner at second base to begin the inning, both teams took advantage but it was Vancouver, British Columbia of Canada which outlasted Chiriqui, Panama in a close game, 3-2, at Volunteer Stadium.
The loss eliminates Panama from the Little League World Series. With the win, Canada advances to face South Korea in a rematch today at Volunteer Stadium. Canada lost to South Korea in its tournament opener, 7-0.
"We were having a harder time against their starter (Obed Fuentes) who was absolutely amazing. Just putting the bat down for example, getting the ball in play, try to create havoc on base paths," Canada manager Brad Dorwart said of strategy in the seventh with a runner on. "You have to be aggressive in that sense."
After a leadoff strikeout, Jean Ramos was walked and was Connor Matsuda reached on a fielder's choice which moved Jacob Massel, the automatic runner on second, to third. An error on a bobbled throw home allowed Massel to score the first run.
Connor Ross came through with an RBI single into shallow right for the game's second run before a fielder's choice brought in a run for a 3-0 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh, Panama plated two, but a strong performance by Connor Ross, who hasn't pitched in a game since the end of May, ended the game. After a one-out RBI double by Jeickot Sanchez, Orlando Acosta and Ianne Salcedo had a ground out and pop fly to end the game.
Fuentes pitched a gem of a game, throwing six complete innings of no-hit baseball with 12 strikeouts before Canada took advantage o the runner on base to start the seventh to score.
"He was our No. 1 pitcher in the rotation. I think it didn't go too well in his first outing (at the Series), but he gave it a second chance today and he demonstrated how good of a pitcher he really is," Panama manager Edward Del Cid Peren said.
Canada's only hit of the game came from Ramos in the seventh as he ended 1 for 1 with an RBI. Panama had three hits, witha double by Sanchez (1 for 2) and singles by Dominick M. Saavedra Arauz (1 for 3) and Ian Del Cid (1 for 2).