Panama win baseball tournament at IV South American Youth Games
Panama defeated Colombia in the Championship Game, 2-0, to win the baseball tournament at the IV Youth South American Games, undefeated, on home soil at the Juan Demóstenes Arosemena Stadium. Known as the Colossus of Cabo Verde, the 7,000-seat stadium in Panama City recently underwent renovation.
Abel Rodriguez limited Colombia to a pair of hits over seven innings, while striking out six. Luis Aranda gave Panama all the runs they needed when he hit a two-run homer in the third.
"I'm grateful to the fans who came to support us," said Aranda in an interview with Newsroompanama.com. "They filled us with encouragement. "We brought the gold to Panama, and we are proud of that."
Curaçao defeated Brazil, 14-0, to claim the bronze medal.
Peru finished fifth with a 1-4 record and Argentina (0-5) finished sixth.
The South American Youth Games (Juegos Suramericanos de la Juventud) is a regional multi-sport event organised by the South American Sports Organisation (ODESUR, Organización Deportiva Suramericana). The games are held every four years, consistent with the current Olympic Games format. Lima, Peru, hosted the first edition from 20 to 29 September 2013. The age limit for the athletes is 14 to 18.
The fourth edition featured 2,000 athletes competing in 24 sports. Baseball featured on the programme for the first time.