By Nina Zimmerman
TAYLOR, Mich. — Australia rallied late but couldn’t overcome a powerful side from Panama in the team’s second game of the Junior League World Series, falling by a final score of 14-3 in five innings.
With the loss, Australia moves into the consolation bracket, and will continue to play over the next few days until the tournament ends on Sunday, 21 August.
Panama, representing Latin America Region, jumped on the board early, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning, and added to the lead with an eight-run second frame.
Undaunted by the deficit, Australia erased the shutout with a run in the top of the fourth. Luke Krkovski started the rally with a one-out single, and later stole second base before advancing to third on an error by the Panama catcher. Pinch hitter Joshua Pearl then drove Krkovski home on a sacrifice fly.
Australia cut into the lead further in the fifth, thanks to a leadoff homer off the bat of Adam Mustow. However, Panama scored three times in the bottom half of the frame, ending the ballgame.
More information about the 2016 JLWS can be found here.