Tien-Mou/Taipei City. Team USA debuted in the 12U Baseball World Cup with a 2-0 shutout over Panama in the opener at Tien-Mou Stadium in Taipei City on Thursday. Justin Campbell pitched a gem and laid the groundwork on the mound. Runs in the first and third provided the necessary offensive support.
The United States got off to a great start. Campbell pitched around a two-out single in the top half of the first. In the bottom half Adam Crampton led off with a double, moved to third on a passed ball and scored the first run of the tournament thanks to a sac fly by Anthony Volpe.
The team of manager Dave Webb added to the score in the third. Jakob Hines walked with one out. Joseph Naranjo doubled to put two runners into scoring position. Following an intentional base on balls, Andrew Pintar came through with another sac fly to give the US squad a 2-0 lead.
Panama was able to keep things close, but couldn’t do much against Campbell. The tall right-hander spotted his 75 MPH fastball and allowed just three hits and two walks in six scoreless frames. He struck out six and picked up the win.
Ariel Vega got the start for the Central Americans, issuing two hits, two runs and four walks, but was able to avoid any further damage. Julio Gonzalez and Noel Suarez closed it out with scoreless relief.
On Friday Team USA will square off with Pakistan at Youth Park in the morning. Panama will face Korea at Tien-Mou in the afternoon.
