Venezuela shuts out Panama, clinches spot in Super Round
Venezuela shut out Panama, 7-0, to record their fourth consecutive win in the VI WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup.
Clean-up hitter Josè Ramos singled off Omar Vargas to put Venezuela ahead in the top of the first.
The game developed into a pitching duel. Vargas and Venezuela's starter Williangel Sanchez worked quickly through the fourth inning without allowing more runs.
Venezuela got to reliever Lorenzo Herrera in the top of the fifth, scoring six runs on six hits.
Second baseman Nicolas Quintero went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Right fielder David Vabalas also had two RBIs.
Sebastian Das Neves took over for Sanchez and earned the save without allowing a hit.
Venezuela's players wore black ribbons to pay tribute to the 16-year-old Santiago Duque, who died in the Tachira State after a ball hit him in the head while pitching in a baseball game.
Venezuela's win Monday locks in the three teams from Group A that will play in the Super Round, with top three teams Venezuela, Mexico and Chinese Taipei advancing. Tomorrow's Mexico-Venezuela game will be critical to determining the final Group A standings.