Panama’s U-18 World Cup Hopes Hang by a Thread After Two Losses
Panama lost 4-0 to Venezuela and 5-4 to Nicaragua on October 28, leaving its U-18 Baseball World Cup hopes dependent on Thursday's game against USA.
World Baseball News Editorial Team , 2 min read 
Panama’s hopes of reaching the 2027 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup suffered a double blow on Wednesday, October 28, when Venezuela shut it out 4-0 and Nicaragua held on for a 5-4 win in the Pan-American Championship Super Round in the Dominican Republic. The two defeats left Panama at 1-3 in the round, with a must-win game against the United States and help from other results now needed to keep its qualification bid alive.
After two rain-disrupted days, Panama finally returned to the field at the IPL Academy with a chance to strengthen its position in the race for four World Cup places. Instead, it finished the day needing a late turnaround of its own.
Venezuela strikes twice in the third inning
Venezuela settled the opening game with two home runs in the third inning. Ángel Morales hit a three-run shot against left-hander Yeremy de León, and José Mendoza followed with a solo homer off César Berrío to account for all four runs.
Panama managed just three hits: a double by Yadier Fuentes and singles from Danel Long and Lucas López. Venezuela pitcher Angelo Quevedo earned the win with four innings of one-hit ball, one walk and four strikeouts.
De León took the loss after allowing three earned runs on three hits and three walks in two innings. The 4-0 result gave Venezuela a valuable Super Round victory while leaving Panama with little room for error in its second game.
Nicaragua survives Panama’s late push
Panama then fell 5-4 to Nicaragua in another game with major qualification consequences. Nicaragua scored three times in the third inning and twice more in the sixth. Panama answered with three runs in the fourth and one in the seventh but could not complete the comeback.
Outfielder Jonathan Ramos led Panama’s attack, going 2-for-2 with a home run, three RBIs, a walk and two runs scored. Nicaragua’s Jeffrey Bustos was credited with the win after 3 2/3 innings, while Panama left-hander Christian González took the loss after allowing two runs over 4 2/3 innings.
World Cup qualification now depends on Thursday
Panama ended Wednesday at 1-3 in the Super Round, with a remaining game against the United States on Thursday, October 29. The top four teams in the round earn places at the 2027 U-18 Baseball World Cup in China.
A victory over the United States is necessary for Panama to stay in contention, but it would not guarantee qualification. The outcome will also depend on other Super Round results, including games involving Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.
Panama reached the Super Round after winning three of its four opening-round games. Two defeats in one afternoon have now transformed that promising start into a final-day fight to stay in the World Cup picture.
