CHIRIQUI, PANAMA - Team USA claimed its first 15U World Cup Championship Sunday, downing host country Panama 7-1 in front of a sold-out crowd in the final game of the World Baseball Softball Confederation's U-15 Baseball World Cup at Estadio Kenny Serracin in David.

    

"This is an unbelievable, indescribable feeling to bring home the gold with this super-talented group," said manager Jason Maxwell. "Sometimes talent doesn't always win, but they all bought into the idea that hard work does. This feeling is something that I'll never forget.
I can't say enough about the hard work our staff put in. Manny Crespo, Troy Gerlach, and Adam Moseley are tremendous people. When I was announced as manager of this team, I felt like I had to put together a good baseball quality staff, but also good men, and that comes first. I am so appreciative of all their time and effort- all the countless hours they put in that people don't see- and everyone got rewarded tonight. I keep saying this, but it really is an indescribable feeling."
USA needed just three hits to secure the victory, taking advantage of three Panamanian errors. First baseman Brady House (Winder, Ga.), right fielder Ryan Clifford (Raleigh, N.C.), and center fielder Tyree Reed (Vallejo, Calif.) recorded the hits.
Starting pitcher Andrew Painter (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) was solid through five and a third frames, striking out five.
The Stars and Stripes ignited early, taking advantage of back-to-back walks to Diaz and Schrier to lead off the frame, and then House pushed a ball through the right side to bring Diaz home. After Luke Leto was hit-by-pitch to load the bases, two straight Panamanian misplays cleared the bases, giving USA a 4-0 start. Hartle then came home on another single through the right side, this one courtesy of Clifford, and left fielder Ryan Spikes (Covington, Ga.), who reached on a fielder's choice, crossed home on a fielder's choice from catcher Charlie Saum (Ventura, Calif.).
Panama broke the shutout in the fourth, scoring after a leadoff double and groundout. USA quickly put the lead back to six, after right fielder Tyree Reed (Vallejo, Calif.) doubled to the right center gap, stole third, and came home on a fielder's choice from House.
Panama continued to threaten, leaving runners on in each of the final three frames.
Several USA players took home additional hardware, including shortstop Cody Schrier (San Clemente, Calif.), who was named the World Cup Most Valuable Player and also took home the award for most runs and the batting title.
AWARDS
Cody Schrier (San Clemente, Calif.) (Tournament MVP) (Batting Title) (Most Runs Scored)
Sam Dutton (Rainbow City, Ala.) (Lowest ERA)
Brady House (Winder, Ga.) (Most RBI)

All-World Team
Andrew Painter (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) (Starting Pitcher)
Brady House (Winder, Ga.) (First Base)
Luke Leto (Portage, Mich.) (Third Base)
Ryan Spikes (Covington, Ga.) (Outfield)