By BRETT R. CROSSLEY
WILLIAMSPORT–One game after posting just one hit against the Asia-Pacific, Canada did the same thing to against Mexico.
Victor Juarez, Jose Angel Leal, Gael Isaac Cortez, and Luis Lauro Nuncio combined to one-hit Canada as Mexico advanced with a 7-1 win on Day 6 of the Little League World Series in Williamsport.
The win will pit Mexico against the winner of the Caribbean and Australia. The loss eliminates Canada from title contention.
Fabian Alejandro Mar opened the game with a single for Mexico. An error at third and a throwing error from the pitcher brought Mar around for a 1-0 Mexico lead.
The offense continued for Mexico as Gael Isaac Cortez opened the top of the third with a double and was quickly brought home when Jose Angel Leal crushed a two-run homer over the centerfield fence. Milton Gonzalez hit the inning’s second double to score two more runs and push the Mexico advantage to 5-0.
One day after getting one hit against South Korea, Canada registered five strikeouts through the first two innings against Mexico. Nathan Clegg was the lone player to not strikeout as he grounded out to second.
Beside having Juarez strikeout seven batters through the first three innings, Mexico also received some outstanding defense.
Eduardo Gael Garcia stopped two grounders at second and Gael Isaac Cortez was just as good from short.
Loreto Siniscalchi was the only Canada player to reach base through the first three innings.
In the fourth, he drew his second walk and scored on a fielder’s choice to give Canada its only run of the day.
Anthony Porcellato came on to pitch in the fourth inning and recorded Canada’s first clean inning of the day. It wouldn’t be enough as Mexico added two runs in the fifth to put the game out of reach for Canada.
Mexico 7, Canada 1
CAN 000 100-1 1 2
MEX 104 02X-7 10 0
Stefano Dal Sasso, Anthony Porcellato (4), and Antonio Cusati. Victor Juarez, Jose Angel Leal (4), Gael Isaac Cortez (5), Luis Lauro Nuncio (6), and Luis Lauro Nuncio.
WP: Juarez. LP: Dal Sasso.
Top Canada hitters: Loreto Siniscalchi 1-1, run. Top Mexico hitters: Victor Juarez 2-3, 2B, 2 runs.
Records: Canada 1-2. Mexico 2-1.
