World Cup Baseball kicks off with Panama win

After a  start studded concert and fireworks Panama opened the 2011 IBAF Baseball World Cup with an 8-3 win over Greece.

 In front of a near-sellout crowd at the Rod Carew Stadium Panama trailed 0-3 but finally produced their own fireworks in the bottom of the  6th to down the European underdog.

Conception Rodriguez hit a solo homerun over the left field wall for Panama to deliver the highlight of the game.
Using the momentum of an emotional opening ceremony Panama’s starting pitcher Paolo Espino needed just ten pitches to strike out the side in the first, including former professional players Chris Demetral and Erik Daniel Pappas. 
But after the perfect start into the game for the hosts, the Greek national team got on the board first. They loaded the bases with no outs thanks to a leadoff walk and a pair of singles in the second.

 Alexander Zachos got to the plate and was hit by the pitch to force in the first run. Two more scored on a two-run single by Constantin Panagotacos down the right field foul line. 
It was a short-lived lead for the team from Europe. After Conception Rodriguez walked, Greek right fielder Zachos misplayed two flyballs and Panama cut the deficit to one run on Carlos Quiroz’ triple and Javier Castillo’s double. Damaso Espino followed with a double to tie the game, as the ball went over the head of Panagotacos in left.   
The game-deciding rally came in the sixth inning. Four runs for Panama broke the tie. A RBI single by Conception Rodriguez, a two-run single by Espino and a sac fly by Luis Castillo ran the score up to 7-3. Rodriguez added a solo homerun in the seventh to provide more insurance.
A 90-minute opening ceremony  with music, a traditional dance show  and some inevitable speeches, preceded the game. Aguadulce born major leaguer Carlos Lee of the Houston Astros threw the ceremonial first pitch. Aguadulce, Santiago and Chitre will also host games in the first round of the tournament.

Plaing oday (Sunday). Group 1 – Puerto Rico, Canada, Netherlands Taipei, Japan USA.

Group 2– Australia, Cuba, Germany Nicaragua, Venezuela, Korea. Dominican Republic, Italy

Schedule
14h00 Puerto Rico – Canada (Panama City)
14h00 Netherlands –Taipei (Aguadulce)
14h00 Australia – Cuba (Chitre)
14h00 Germany – Nicaragua (Santiago)
19h30 Japan – USA (Panama City)
19h30 Venezuela – Korea (Chitre) 
19h30 Dominican Republic – Italy (Santiago)