Canada edges Panama in extra innings
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT — Jacob Massel contributed on the mound and on the basepaths, Connor Ross hit an RBI single as part of a three-run seventh inning, and Canada staved off elimination at the Little League World Series with a 3-2 win over Panama on Monday, as reported by TSN.
Canada started the extra frame with Massel on second base. He advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored the game's first run on a throwing error when Connor Matsuda bunted into a fielder's choice, and Panama's catcher bobbled the ball as Massel slid home. Ross then hit a line drive to centre field on a full count that scored Jean Ramos, who had walked earlier in the inning. Matsuda advanced to third and was cashed in when Jason Mezzarobba grounded into a fielder's choice.
Panama got two runs back in the bottom of the seventh, as Jeickot Sánchez hit a run-scoring double and later scored on a wild pitch. But Canada, represented by Vancouver's Little Mountain Baseball, hung on.
In addition to scoring Canada's first run, Massel dominated on the mound. He struck out seven over five scoreless innings, and his effort was complemented by Panama's starter Obed Fuentes, who struck out 12 batters and did not give up a hit in six innings. Cruz Krpan picked up the win in relief for Canada.
Canada (2-1) will next face South Korea on Tuesday at the double-elimination tournament. The Canadians lost 7-0 to the Koreans in the opener last week before beating Australia 4-0 on Saturday.
Four teams remain undefeated
Only two U.S. and two international teams remain undefeated in the Little League World Series after Sunday's games, according to a report from the Mechanicsburg Patriot News. Surviving in the winners' bracket were Henderson, Nevada; Davenport, Iowa; Curacao; and Nicaragua. These four teams do not play again until Wednesday.
Davenport beat Bayonne, New Jersey, 6-0, and Henderson defeated Tacoma, Washington, 5-0. In the international bracket, Nicaragua handed Mexico its first loss, 8-4, and Curacao edged Seoul, 1-0.
West Chester faces elimination on Monday
West Chester, Pennsylvania, now finds itself in the elimination bracket after losing its previous game. The team from West Chester will play Phenix City, Alabama, at 7 p.m. Monday, with the winner advancing and the loser going home.
Insights from the tournament
Davenport has caught the attention of fans with its pitching. Thissen Cooper struck out 15 in the Midwest Region champion's 1-0 win over Bonita, California, on Wednesday. Anthony Johnson Jr. also struck out 15 in Davenport's win over Bayonne, and both Cooper and Johnson each hit a home run in the game they pitched.
Professional players and the MLB Classic
Attention at Howard J. Lamade Stadium shifted Sunday afternoon to professional baseball players. Players from the Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves visited the series and were mobbed by youngsters seeking autographs. Most were accommodating, as the players sat in the stands with kids from Little League teams that were not playing.
The players then headed to historic Bowman Field in Williamsport for Sunday night's MLB/Little League Classic, where Atlanta defeated Milwaukee 4-2. Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred announced that the Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays will play in the 2027 MLB/Little League Classic. That game is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 19, 2027, a departure from the traditional Sunday night format, and will be the tenth game played in connection with the Little League World Series.
Other games Monday include Panama vs. Canada at 1, Hamilton, Ohio vs. Boerne, Texas at 3, and Tokyo vs. Czechia at 5.