CHIRIQUI, PANAMA - Team USA improved to 2-0 in their section of the World Baseball Softball Confederation's U-15 Baseball World Cup®, held at Estadio Kenny Seracin in the province of David, Panama.
Corner outfielders Tommy DiLandri (Las Vegas) and Ryan Clifford (Raleigh, N.C.) each turned in two-hit days, with DiLandri doubling and scoring twice and Clifford one of each. Infielder Davis Diaz (Pittsburg, Calif.) also scored twice and drove in two, and starter Christian Little (University City, Mo.) picked up the win, allowing just one hit and striking out three over three innings.
The squad tacked on a run in the opening frame, as Diaz, who was walked, came home on a left field single from first baseman Brady House (Winder, Ga.).
USA added cushion in the second, plating five runs. DiLandri led off with a double, took third on a passed ball, then scored on the first of three balks issued during the frame. After a single from Clifford down the right field line and back-to-back hit-by-pitches to catcher Charlie Saum (Ventura, Calif.) and center fielder Tyree Reed (Vallejo, Calif.), another walk to Diaz brought in a run and then a bases-clearing misplay in center field on a connection from third baseman Luke Leto (Portage, Mich.) brought in three more, giving the good guys a 6-0 lead.
Back-to-back doubles from DiLandri and Clifford opened the third, as Clifford later came home courtesy of an infield single from shortstop Cody Schrier (San Clemente, Calif.) and Reed, who singled earlier in the frame, scored on a sac fly from Diaz.
The final run of the run-rule shortened contest came in the fourth, when Leto walked, took second on a wild pitch, stole third, and scored on a failed pickoff attempt.
USA returns to action Sunday, facing Chinese Taipei in another early morning contest, slated for 11:00 a.m. ET.