TAINAN, Taiwan - Team USA (2-2) was eliminated from medal contention at the 2019 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup after suffering a 2-1 loss to Mexico (4-1) on Tuesday at ASPAC B Stadium in Tainan, Taiwan.

Team USA's starting pitcher Alexander Mercurius (Las Vegas, Nev.) pitched suffered the loss on the mound after allowing two runs on four hits and striking out two in 4.2 innings on the mound. Jack McKernan (Missouri City, Texas) struck out the only batter he faced in relief for red, white and blue. Mexico's Yustin Canizales earned the win on the mound after pitching a complete game and allowing just one run.

Gavin Fien (Temecula, Calif.) and Lucas Tinajero (Corpus Christi, Texas) led the U.S. offensively, recording two hits each on the day. Tinajero recorded Team USA's lone extra-base hit in the game with a double in the first inning, while Josiah Hartshorn (Anaheim, Calif.) scored The U.S. squad's lone run of the game. Canizales used a single and a home run to drive in both of Mexico's runs in the contest.

Key Moments

• Mexico struck first after Yustin Canizales led off with the bottom of the first with a home run to left field. Canizales extended Mexico's lead in the bottom of the third with an RBI-single through the left side.
• Team USA responded in the top of the fourth inning after Lucas Tinajero (Corpus Christi, Texas) and Josiah Hartshorn (Anaheim, Calif.) led off the frame with back-to-back singles.
• Hartshorn and Tinajero advanced to second and third base, respectively, after Jack Ruckert (Baton Rouge, La.) grounded out to second. Brenden Lewis (Santee, Calif.) then hit a 3-2 pitch that bounced to Mexico's third baseman, who then threw Tinajero out on a close play at home.
• Hartshorn scored on the next pitch after a balk by Mexico's pitcher to cut the lead to 2-1.
• Team USA put a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the sixth as Ruckert reached base with two outs after getting hit by a pitch, before advancing to second on a balk. The U.S. couldn't capitalize, however, as Mexico forced a groundout to end the game in the next at-bat.
• Team USA's starting pitcher Alexander Mercurius was solid on the mound throughout the game pitching all but one out for the red, white and blue, while striking out two.
  

Notable Information

• Team USA moved to 2-2 at the 2019 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup with the loss, while Mexico clinched a spot in the Super Round with a 4-1 record.
  
• The U.S. has officially been eliminated from medal contention with the loss after falling to fourth place in the Group B standings.
  
• The series between the U.S. and Mexico is now tied at three, while Mexico earned its first win over Team USA at the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup.
  
• Team USA outhit Mexico 5-4 in the contest.
  
• Alexander Mercurius (0-1) suffered the loss on the mound for Team USA, while Mexico's Yustin Canizales (1-0) earned the win.
  
• Lucas Tinajero picked up his third multi-hit game of the tournament after going 2-for-3 with a double.
  

On Deck

• Team USA will wrap the opening round of the WBSC U-12 World Cup on Wednesday, July 31, against Korea. First pitch is set for 10:00 p.m. ET.
  

  Social Media
  

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