Little League World Series 2012 Scores: Panama Silences Mexico's Bats to Advance

Panama faced Mexico on Thursday, a team that had already scored 31 runs and hit 11 home runs in four games in the 2012 Little League World Series.

But it was ultimately Panama's pitching that prevailed and advanced the team to the international championship game.

Panama defeated Mexico on Thursday 2-1, with both of its runs coming in the first inning off a home run from red-hot James Gonzalez. 

From there on out, starting pitcher Edisson Gonzalez pitched a complete game, giving up one run in six innings and allowing just five hits while racking up 11 strikeouts. He did so in 80 pitches.

Despite being on fire offensively heading into the matchup, Mexico registered just one extra-base hit in the game when Eduardo Abrego connected for a double in the bottom of the fifth inning. Abrego ended up scoring Mexico's lone run when Marcelo Perez knocked him in with a single in the next at-bat.

Panama has registered the fifth-best ERA in the tournament this year (2.35) and recorded the most strikeouts (43), per the official LLWS website. The team has held opponents to a .218 batting average. Edisson Gonzalez has been their best pitcher, posting a 2-0 record with a 1.20 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 10 innings.

But it's worth noting that Panama can score some runs, too. The club has posted 20 runs in four LLWS games while collectively hitting .327 (fourth-best in the tournament). James Gonzalez has been the team's leader, hitting .571 with three home runs, eight RBI and five runs. 

The win sets up a rematch with formidable Japan in the international championship game. Panama lost to Japan two games ago, 4-1, as Japan's Ryuji Osada threw five innings of four-hit ball, striking out seven.

It's all going to have to come together for Panama for the youngsters to advance to the title game, but they've shown they have a balanced team.

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