WBSC U-12 World Cup 2025 | Cuba defeats Panama 8-2 in the placement round, closing in on seventh place

The Cuban U-12 national team, competing in the U-12 World Cup in Tainan, Taiwan, advanced towards securing seventh place in the championship by defeating Panama 8-2 on Thursday, marking the start of the placement round for the 7th-12th positions in the tournament.

The victory is noteworthy as it marks the team's third win in the World Cup and was secured against the most challenging opponent the Cuban team will encounter in this phase. They are set to face the Czech Republic (1-4) this Friday and South Africa (0-5) on Saturday.

Box score

Yan Carlos Ramírez (1-1), an accomplished right-hander, showcased an impressive performance by limiting the Panamanians to two runs and five hits during the game, earning a vital win. Ramírez struck out four batters and issued three walks. His only challenge arose in the fourth inning, when Panama managed to gather three of their five hits, along with a walk, to score their only two runs.

Cuba's offense had already provided the starter with a significant edge in his performance. In the first inning, against right-hander Yassith A. Concepción (0-2), and after securing two outs via strikeouts, Sean M. García hit a single to left field, stole second base, and scored shortly after when Yuceider Torres singled to right field.

In the next inning, the game was essentially decided when the Cuban offense erupted against Concepción, initiating a four-run rally. The Panamanian starting pitcher encountered difficulties after recording one out, issuing a walk, conceding a double to Yan C. Ramírez, and allowing Cuba's second run on a passed ball. With runners on the corners, Denis A. Zamora was hit by a pitch, and a ground ball from Maykol Lluch drove in the second run of the inning. The highlight of the inning occurred shortly after, when Cuban slugger Sean M. García hit a two-run homer to center field, completing the four-run inning and giving Cuba a 5-0 lead.

This was García's second home run of the tournament, placing him in a tie with three other batters for second place in the department lead.

Following another single by Torres and a hit by pitch, the Panamanian starter was substituted in a short outing. He pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and five earned runs, with two walks and three strikeouts, ultimately charging with the loss.

In the following inning, Cuba solidified their lead against the new reliever, right-hander Aymar Y. Ríos, by loading the bases with two walks and a single in between. An infield hit by Zamora increased the Cuban advantage to 6-0, and a wild pitch followed by a sacrifice fly by Lluch to left field completed the 8-0 lead.

Daniel J. González finished the last two innings for Panama, delivering an almost flawless performance with two strikeouts, no hits allowed, and a walk.

Following their second straight win in the tournament, the Cubans aim to keep their momentum as they take on the Czech Republic this Friday at 2:30 p.m. local time and 2:30 a.m. Cuban and US Eastern Time.

In the 7th-12th place seeding round, Cuba is in the lead with a 3-0 record. Australia and Panama follow, each holding a 2-1 record. The Czech Republic and Germany both have a 1-2 record, while South Africa remains winless at 0-3 in this round.

On the same day, as the Super Round began to decide the four teams vying for medals, the United States triumphed over Mexico 7-1. Japan ended South Korea's unbeaten streak with a 4-0 one-hit shutout, and Taiwan beat the Dominican Republic 9-4.

In this round, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States all hold a 2-1 record. Meanwhile, Mexico has a 1-2 record, and the Dominican Republic stands at 0-3.