Cole Buck made history as the first Australian player at this year's U12 Baseball World Cup to hit a home run, but Panama's consistent hitting proved the difference, as they claimed a 15-2 victory.
Buck pinch-hit for Hayden Purchase in the bottom of the fifth, and ended Australia's opening round on a high, belting a solo-shot to left-field and driving in his team's second run of the ballgame.
The opening run came in the third inning care of an RBI groundout from the bat of Queensland's William Baker, while Kyan Roach, Hayden Purchase and Liam Padovan all picked up a hit apiece.
Ryan Langworthy relieved starting pitcher Rorke Miles in the second inning, and kept the powerful Panamanian hitting lineup at bay during the second and third inning.
The Australian team claimed one win from their four games in the opening round of the U12 World Cup, and will now face the Czech Republic, Brazil and South Africa in their final three games of the tournament.
Make sure you download 'Baseball Live', Baseball Australia's official app to keep up to date with the live scoring from the U12 World Cup.
Australia slugger selfie: Cole Buck @TeamAusBaseball pic.twitter.com/GnBu40f1AE