PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico - Despite tallying seven runs, the 2019 15U National Team suffered its first loss of the 2019 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier to Panama, 9-7, in game two of Super Round action on Friday at Unidad Deportivo Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Karson Bowen (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) led Team USA with two hits while hitting his first home run of the tournament in the second inning and collecting two RBIs. Also, four addition members of the stars and stripes collected hits in the contest. Panama's offense recorded 10 hits and three walks to claim the victory. 

Brandon Barriera (Coconut Creek, Fla.) got the start for the U.S. and suffered the loss after giving up nine runs (six earned) on 10 hits with four punchouts in 4.1 innings of work. Panama's Pedro Munoz, who allowed one run on four hits and struck out two, was awarded the win. 

Key Moments
• Mikey Romero (Menifee, Calif.) doubled down the left field line and Joe Brown brought him home with an RBI-single to give the U.S. an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
• Panama took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first with an RBI-triple and a passed ball.
• Bowen hit his first home run of the tournament in the top of the second to tie the game at 2-2.
• Panama responded in the bottom frame and retook the lead, 3-2, on a Team USA error.
• The U.S. tied the game at three in the third thanks to a bases loaded walk by Kai Caranto (Santa Clarita, Calif.).
• With the bases loaded, Schubart laced a bases-clearing double to right field to give the U.S. a 6-3 lead in the top of the third inning.
• Bowen's RBI-single extended the U.S. lead to four as Team USA led 7-3 after the top half of the third inning.
• Panama scored one run in the bottom of the third and fourth innings, took the lead with an RBI-single and triple in the bottom of the fifth and sealed the 9-7 victory in the same inning with a sac-bunt.

Notable Information
• The U.S. moves to 3-1 in the Super Round and 6-1 overall at the 2019 WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier.
• The loss snapped the 15U National Team's six-game win streak in tournament action.
• Joe Brown (2-for-4, RBI), Nolan Schubart (2-for-4, 3 RBIs) and Karson Bowen (2-for-3, HR, 2 RBIs) accounted for six of Team USA's eight hits on the day.
• Brandon Barriera (1-1) was tagged with the loss when he surrendered nine runs (six earned) on 10 hits while striking out four batters in 4.1 innings of work.

Up Next
The 15U National Team completes Super Round action at the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier against Cuba on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT on Field One at Unidad Deportivo Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. If Team USA wins on Saturday, it will earn a spot in the gold medal game on Sunday.

Social
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