Dates: Aug. 3-6
Location: Laredo, Texas

Winning its three games by a combined score of 30-1, Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei proved that it was one of the elite teams in Palomino World Series history. The only team standing in its way was the MLB Youth Academy from Los Angeles, California, the champions of the PONY West Zone. Los Angeles had picked up two wins by way of a shutout en route to the championship game and had a cast of hurlers who could match the PONY Asia-Pacific Zone Representatives. In a defensive battle that took less than two hours to play seven innings, Taoyuan County created just enough offense to win Chinese Taipei its second Palomino World Series title.

Tournament Stats 
Archived Full-Game Webcasts

Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei - 2 
Los Angeles (MLB Youth Academy) California - 0

The time had finally come for the 2018 Palomino World Series Championship in Laredo, Texas at Uni-Trade Stadium. Both Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei and Los Angeles (MLB Youth Academy), California entered the game with perfect 3-0 records. It was time for the two most dominant teams in the tournament to square off and claim the crown of Palomino World Series Champion. Coming down to the final inning, Chinese Taipei stuck to its small ball mentality and came out victorious, winning 2-0.

Coming into the game, both teams scored plenty of runs to go around, but it was the pitching that carried both teams. Chinese Taipei had opened the scoring in the first inning of its previous three games, but this time the Asia-Pacific Zone Representatives went down in order. Los Angeles got the first hit in the bottom of the second, but left the runner on-base to end the inning. Both teams repeated this pattern until the top of the fifth, when Chinese Taipei had its first chance to get on the board. After two singles by Lin, Chia-Wei and Yen, Kuo-Chin, both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch.

Chiang, Kun-Yu grounded into a fielder’s choice that axed Lin as he tried to go home. As Lin was in a rundown, Yen and Chiang both advanced to third and second, respectively. However, with two outs, Ho, Yi-Lung grounded out to end the top of the fifth.

Both teams went down in order until the top of the seventh, when the Chinese Taipei offense arose to the occasion. Wang, Po-Hsuan led off the inning with a double. Kuo, Wen-Yi grounded out to second but was able to move Wang to third. Lin drew a walk and with runners on the corners and one out, Yen delivered what would be the game-winning play. Yen laid a bunt down the third base line. As the ball rolled up the line, Wang broke for home and scored while Yen was thrown out at first.

While all this was happening, Lin ran on the pitch and ended up at third by the time the play was over. Chiang, in the very next at-bat, hit a single up the middle to score Lin and give Chinese Taipei the 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh, Los Angeles’ James Espalin reached on an error to lead off the inning. Despite committing its second error of the whole tournament, Chinese Taipei answered by turning a 6-4-3 double play. Down to its final out, Los Angeles sent up pinch hitter, George Eaves to the plate. Chinese Taipei starting pitcher, Lin, Reui-Yang Gu, preserved his two-hit shutout by getting Eaves to pop up to second base and record the win 2-0.

Lin, Reui-Yang was the victorious pitcher, going all seven innings, only allowing two hits and striking out seven batters. Lin, Chia-Wei led the team in batting as he went a perfect, 2-for-2 from the plate, while scoring once and drawing a walk.

Taoyuan County won its second Palomino World Series title overall and first since 2012.

Box Score
Archived Full-Game Webcast

Champion: Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei


Finalist: Los Angeles (MLB Urban Youth Academy), California



Wilson Sports Batting Champion: Yen, Kuo-Chin (Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei) (.700 BA (7-10, 13 PA), four RBI, three runs scored)



Easton ERA Award Winner: Chiang, Kuo-Chien (Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei) 4 IP, (0.00 ERA), two wins, one hit allowed, no walks, four Ks)

Day 3 of the 2018 Palomino World Series saw a little bit of everything. From rematches of day one to incredible plays, it had it all but when all the dust settles, the championship game was set for the Palomino World Series.

Game #1: Cidra, Puerto Rico 4           Youngstown, Ohio 3

In the first rematch of the day, Cidra, Puerto Rico decided that this game ended differently than the first time. Despite a late charge from Youngstown, Ohio, the Caribbean representatives were able to hold on and advance to another game in the day with the 4-3 win.

Puerto Rico started the scoring in the top of the 2nd when Orlando Torres doubled to left field bringing home Axel Gonzalez and Michael Quinones. With a 2-0 lead, Puerto Rico added 2 more runs in very next inning. Jean Torres scored the first run when Emmanuel Ramos drew a bases loaded walk. Quinones followed it up by reaching on an error that allowed Jan Tolentino to score.

With a 4-0 lead, Puerto Rico went to work on the defensively. From the bottom of the 3rd to through the bottom of the 6th, Youngstown was limited to two base runners that came from two hits. It was a different story in the bottom of the 7th as Youngstown put together a late push.

With the bases loaded, Justin Stewart stepped up to the plate. However, the first run came across when without the ball even touching the bat. A balk by Puerto Rico pitcher, Tommylee Sierra brought Conner Rakow home. On the next pitch, Stewart hit a sacrifice fly to right field as Andrew Russell tagged from third and scored.

With the game now 4-2 in favor of Puerto Rico, Youngstown was not done. Marshall McGraw scored when Rowen Fletcher grounded to second base. See its lead go from 4 to1, Puerto Rico was able to get the final out and keep its world series hopes alive as it was set to face Chinese Taipei.

Box Score

 

Game #2: Laredo, Texas 6                  Hermosillo, Mexico 1

In the second rematch of the day, Laredo, Texas was looking to follow Puerto Rico and change the result from the first day of competition. With stellar pitching, Laredo did just that and advanced itself to the semifinal round with a 6-1 victory.

Just like in game one, Laredo dropped 5 runs in the first inning. The first run scored when Julio Toboada doubled down the right field line as Guillermo Sauceda crossed the plate. After a walk, the bases were loaded for Daniel Quiroz and he delivered. Quiroz double to right field and cleared the bases to give Laredo an early 4-0 lead. Quiroz then scored on a Greg Campos double.

With a 5-0 lead, Laredo’s starting pitcher, Homero Saldivar went to work on the mound. Saldivar allowed 5 base runners in the first five innings with none of them reaching on a hit. In 6th, Giovanni Cusi of Mexico broke up the no hitter with a single to center field. Laredo added another in the bottom of the 6th to hold a 6-0 going into the final inning. In the top of the 7th, Mexico ended the shutout with a RBI single from Andres Hernandez.

Laredo recorded the final out and claimed the 6-1 win to move on in the world series to face Los Angeles, California. Saldivar claimed the win going all 7 innings, giving up the lone run on 3 hits with 3 strikeouts.

Box Score

 

Game #3: Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei 7  Cidra, Puerto Rico 1

From what seemed like another 5-inning game for Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei but Cidra, Puerto Rico accomplished two things that no other team had in the world series. Puerto Rico scored the first run on Chinese Taipei and then made the Asia-Pacific representatives play a full 7 innings.

Chinese Taipei started the game like it normally by scoring the first runs of the game. With the bases loaded, Pei-Fong Dai was hit by a pitch to score Kun-Yu Chaing. Po-Hsuan Wang then grounded out to score Yi-Lung Ho.

With a 2-0 lead, Chinese Taipei repeated the feat in top of the second. Kun-Yu Chaing doubled to left field to score Chun-En Lin. Ching-Kai Lin drove in Kun-Yu Chaing with another Chinese Taipei double. Chinese Taipei added 2 more runs in the top of the 3rd to give itself a 6-0 lead.

Puerto Rico was able to hold Chinese Taipei scoreless in the 4th, and then scored the first run on Chinese Taipei in the world series. Axel Gonzalez hit a sacrifice fly that scored Jean Rivera. Chinese Taipei added another run in the 7th and won the game by the final of 7-1.

With the win, Chinese Taipei became the first team in the 2018 Palomino World Series championship game.

Box Score

 

Game #4: Los Angeles, California 9                Laredo, Texas 0 F/5

In the fourth and final game of the day, Laredo, Texas looked to force an if necessary game on Monday before the championship. Los Angeles, California had a different idea and took the game 9-0 in 5 innings.

After the first two innings were scoreless, Los Angeles got on the board. Jalen White hit a double to right field that scored Cole Kitchen and Jaylen Parks. With a 2-0 lead, Los Angeles added more in the 4th. The first run of the inning scored when Parks drew a bases loaded walk. Jordan Ku then reached on an error that scored Sean Blandino. Jalen White then hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Kitchen.

Going into the 5th, Los Angeles held a 5-0 and added 4 more runs in the inning. In the bottom of the 5th, Laredo went down in order and after some discussion, both teams agreed, and the game was called.

After the win, Los Angeles set itself up to face Chinese Taipei in the championship game. Both teams enter the game with a perfect 3-0 record and will square off at 7 p.m. on Monday, August 6.

Box Score

Day two of the Palomino World Series was different compared to the first. While day one saw close games within a couple runs, day two was filled with more of the blowout variety. No game was closer than a 5-run differential.

Game #1: Cidra, Puerto Rico 10         San Antonio, Texas 0

After scoreless first inning, Cidra, Puerto Rico scored in the top of the second and never looked back as the Caribbean representatives kept themselves alive in the 2018 Palomino World Series.

Puerto Rico’s first run came across the plate when Emmanuel Ramos lined a single to centerfield allowing Miguel Lopez to score. San Antonio contained Puerto Rico until the 5th inning where Puerto Rico busted the scoring wide open.

Jan Tolentino tripled into the leftfield corner, Jean Rivera and Jean Torres were standing on third and first, respectively and worked their way home. With the 3-0 lead, Puerto Rico added two more runs in the 5th. Tolentino scored on a sacrifice fly by Axel Gonzalez then Lopez scored when Ramos hit a sacrifice fly.

Puerto Rico, holding a 5-0 lead, only allowed two hits in the remaining San Antonio at-bats while adding 5 more runs to win by the final of 10-0. Carlos Bonilla led Puerto Rico to victory on the mound. Bonilla surrendered zero runs on one hit over six innings, striking out two. Torres led Puerto Rico with four hits in five at bats, a run batted in and scoring twice.

Unfortunately for San Antonio, their 2018 Palomino World Series was over. However, Puerto Rico waited to see the loser of the Chinese Taipei and Youngstown, Ohio game.

Box Score


 

Game #2: Laredo, Texas 10                Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 2

Just like in the first game of the day, the away team, this time Laredo, Texas, ran away with the win. After putting up a fight in the first couple innings, Mt. Pleasant’s stay at the Palomino World Series ended.

Mt. Pleasant jumped out to the early lead in the bottom of the first when Seth Stratton grounded out to second allowing Kollin Sharrar to score from third. Laredo took its first lead in the very next inning when Eric Garcia singled to leftfield. Sergio Chavez and Julio Toboada scored to give Laredo the 2-1 lead.

Mt. Pleasant tied the game in the bottom of the second when Sharrar was walked with the bases loaded, bring home Ryan Shafer. Unbeknownst to Mt. Pleasant, this was the last time that the North Zone representatives scored in the world series.

Omar Cervantes gave Laredo the lead in the third with a RBI single as Fernando Benavides scored the run. Laredo added 2 runs in the fourth and broke the game open in the top of the sixth by scoring the final 5 runs of the game.

Marco Raya claimed the win on the mound. Raya went 6 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and striking out 6. Garcia led Laredo at the plate, going 2-4 with 2 runs and runs batted in. With the win, Laredo waited to see who it would face from the Los Angeles, California and Hermosillo, Mexico game.

Box Score

 

Game #3: Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei 10           Youngstown, Ohio 0 F/5

Just like its first game, Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei ended its game early by enforcing the run rule. A 5-run second inning propelled Chinese Taipei to a 10-0 win and a spot in the semifinals of the Palomino World Series.

In the bottom of the first, Chun-En Lin singled that allowed Kun-Yu Chaing to score. Ji-Hong Lu followed with a double to score Lin. Chinese Taipei lead 2-0 until the very next inning when Taipei added 5 more runs. Chinese Taipei scored 2 more in the fourth and the final one in the fifth to take the game, 10-0.

Jo-Hsi Hsu picked up the win going two and two-third innings. Hsu allowed three hits and gave up one walk. With the loss, Youngstown dropped to the loser’s bracket to set up a rematch with Puerto Rico from the first day.

Box Score

 

Game #4: Los Angeles, California 8                Hermosillo, Mexico 3

After taking a commanding lead and then fighting through a spark of Mexican offense, Los Angeles was able to hold on for an 8-5 victory and secure a spot in the semifinals.

Mexico opened the scoring in the top of the first when Carlos Berrelleza scored on a Jose Esquer sacrifice fly. This was the last time that Mexico held the lead. Los Angeles then exploded for 7 runs in the bottom of the second. The first pair of runs scored when Steven Bermudez doubled to center. Bermudez and Sean Blandino then scored on a Cole Kitchen single to leftfield.

Holding a 4-1 lead, Los Angeles added 3 more runs to end the second inning with a 7-1 lead. Los Angeles scored an extra run in the fourth to lead 8-1. After looking out of it, Mexico responded with 2 runs in the top of the fifth but Los Angeles was able to hold Mexico and claim the 8-3 win.

Tyler Tilton notched the win for Los Angeles by going 6 innings, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and striking out 2. Mexico will face Laredo, Texas again in the losers bracket while Los Angelels will await the winner of that game.

Box Score

 

Schedule for August 5, 2018:
G1: Cidra, Puerto Rico vs. Youngstown, Ohio (10 a.m. CST)
G2: Laredo, Texas vs. Hermosillo, Mexico (1 p.m. CST)
G3: Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei vs. Winner of G1 (4 p.m. CST)
G4: Los Angeles, California vs. Winner of G2 (7 p.m. CST)

As the time had finally drawn near, Laredo, Texas was ready for the first day of the 2018 Palomino World Series. The first day saw a little bit of everything from a dominating win to late-game heroics.

Game #1: Youngstown, Ohio 4 Cidra, Puerto Rico 1

In the first game of the day, Cidra, Puerto Rico fell behind early and couldn't come back in a 4-1 loss to Youngstown, Ohio on Friday. Youngstown fired up the offense in the first inning, when Jake McCaskey singled on a 2-2 count, scoring one run.

As the game entered the bottom of the sixth, Puerto Rico trailed 2-0. With runners on second and third with no outs, Emmanuel Ramos grounded out to second and brought home Jean Torres. At the end of the 6th inning, Youngstown held a 2-1 lead but looked to put the game out of reach. In the top of the 7th with two runners on and two outs, Connor Rakow delivered for his team. Rakow hit a bases clearing double to right field. Grabbing the 4-1, Youngstown did not look back and took the win.

Marshall McGraw was the winning pitcher for Youngstown. He surrendered one run on three hits over six and two-thirds innings, striking out 11. Andrew Russell threw one-third of an inning in relief out of the bullpen. Youngstown racked up nine hits in the game. McCaskey and Josh Hoffman all had multiple hits for Youngstown. McCaskey went 4-for-4 at the plate to lead the East Zone representatives in hits.

Box Score

 
Game #2: Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei 13 San Antonio, Texas 0

San Antonio, Texas watched the game slip away early and couldn't recover in a 13-0 loss to Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei. Chinese Taipei scored on a double by Yi-Lung Ho, a single by Ching-Kai Lin, and a sacrifice fly by Ji-Hong Liu in the first inning.

Kuo-Chien Chaing got the win for Chinese Taipei. He surrendered zero runs on zero hits over one inning, striking out two and walking zero. A number of pitchers entered the game as relief, with Yi-Sheng Chu, Ming-Sheng Yu, Cheng-Chen Lee, and Yu-Hao Huang all securing outs and ultimately the victory.

Chinese Taipei totaled 12 hits in the game. Lin, Wen-Yi Kuo, Kun-Yu Chiang, and Kuo-Chin Yen all had multiple hits for Chinese Taipei. Chinese Taipei did not commit a single error in the field. Po-Hsuan Wang had the most chances in the field with seven.

Box Score

 

Game #3: Los Angeles, California 3 Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 0

Los Angeles, California defeated Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 3-0 as two pitchers combined to throw a shutout. The pitching was strong on both sides. Los Angeles pitchers struck out nine, while Mt. Pleasant pitchers sat down three.

Los Angeles got things moving in the first inning, when Sean Lugosingled on a 1-2 count, scoring one run. Jonathan Robinson led the Los Angeles to victory on the mound. He allowed three hits and zero runs over six innings, striking out eight. Bermudez threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen. 

The lone home run of the day belonged to Los Angeles' Jaylen Parks. With a runner on, Parks drove a ball to left field that cleared the wall by a couple feet. Los Angeles tallied 11 hits on the day. Jalen White, Parks, and James Espalin each had multiple hits for Los Angeles. Espalin, Parks, and White each collected two hits to lead Los Angeles.

Box Score

 

Game #4: Hermosillo, Mexico 7 Laredo, Texas 6

As the opening ceremonies wrapped up and the sun started to set on the first day of the Palomino World Series, only one game remained. All eyes were on Laredo, Texas and Hermosillo, Mexico and both teams did not disappoint. After trailing by 5 at one point, Mexico battled back and won 7-6.

Laredo scored five runs in the first inning. The big inning for Laredo came thanks to singles by Omar Cervantes, Sergio Chavez, Julio-Cesar Taboada, and Gregorio Campos. Mexico starting pitcher, Kevin Acosta, was chased from the game after facing 6 batters and not recording a single out.

Mexico got on the board in the bottom of the first when Carlos Berrelleza scored on a passed ball after initially reaching on a double. Laredo added a run in the top of the third to put its lead back at 5 (6-1). 

In the bottom of the fourth, Mexico slowly chipped at the Laredo lead. By scoring two runs in the fourth, Laredo only led 6-3. The very next inning, Mexico pulled even closer to Laredo. Giovanni Cusi and Jose Esquer got the scoring started when both scored on the single by David Baldenegro.

In the bottom of the sixth, Cusi came in clutch for Mexico. Chris Munguia and Berrelleza were on base with two outs. On the second pitch of the at-bat, Cusi drove the ball over the left fielder's head to bring home both runners and gave Mexico the 7-6 lead as the game entered the final three outs of the game. Sergio Gaxiola claimed the win for Mexico as he went two innings and not allowing a hit.

Box Score

 

Saturday, August 4, 2018 Schedule (CST):
10 a.m.: Cidra, Puerto Rico vs. San Antonio, Texas
1 p.m.: Mt. Pleasant, Michigan vs. Laredo, Texas
4 p.m.: Youngstown, Ohio vs. Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei
7 p.m.: Los Angeles, California vs. Hermosillo, Mexico