PANAMA CITY – Aiden Stillman allowed just one hit over six shutout innings to lead Team USA to a 1-0 victory over Mexico in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier quarterfinal round on Friday.

The U.S. is now unbeaten through six games and has clinched a spot in Saturday’s semifinal round.

Stillman was in control immediately on the mound, retiring the first eight batters he faced before surrendering his only hit, a two-out single in the third. The southpaw immediately locked back in and retired the next batter to keep the game scoreless, setting the U.S. offense up to scratch the game’s only run across in the bottom of the inning; with Trent Grindlinger on second and two outs, Kayson Cunningham served an RBI single into left to give Stillman all the support he needed.

With a lead in hand, Stillman returned to the mound in the fourth and worked around a two-out walk for a scoreless frame. He then retired the next six batters he faced, getting him through six shutout innings on just 74 pitches. Cooper Rummel then entered out of the stars and stripes’ bullpen and got the save, assisted by a sharp play by Cunningham to secure the final out of the game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Nico Partida singled with one out in the second for the game’s first baserunner, but Mexico (3-4) starter Jesus Castro picked him off to end the frame.
• Grindlinger was hit by a pitch and Grady Emerson singled to center to put two runners on in the third, and Cunningham cracked an RBI single to left to give Team USA its only run of the game and a 1-0 lead.
• Mexico put a runner on in the fourth via a two-out walk, but Stillman coaxed an inning-ending groundout as the U.S. advantage remained 1-0.
• Mexico reliever Markos Sanchez induced a pop-out to thwart a fourth-inning rally, started when Ethan Holliday singled and Brayden Jaksa and Grindlinger drew walks to load the bases with two outs.
• Stillman sent the side down in order in both the fifth and sixth, thanks in part to two big defensive plays by Emerson and Jaksa, to finish off his six strong innings and keep the United States in front by one.
• Rummel entered in the seventh and recorded the final three outs–with support from Gavin Fien and Cunningham’s two dazzling plays–to pick up the save and the 1-0 win.

NOTABLES

• Stillman finished the game with six shutout innings, allowing just two baserunners on a hit and a walk while picking up four strikeouts. He has now spun eight shutout innings at the World Cup Qualifier.
• Cunningham’s RBI knock in the third was one of just four hits on the day for Team USA; Emerson, Holliday, and Partida had the other three.
• Through six games, Cunningham ranks in the top three in the tournament in hits (8), batting average (.444), and RBIs (11).
• The U.S. pitching staff continued its sparkling tournament and lowered its team ERA to 0.74.
• The red, white, and blue last allowed a run in the first inning against Brazil on Tuesday, throwing 18 consecutive scoreless innings.
• Rummel is the second U.S. pitcher to pick up a save, joining Dylan Wood (Sunday vs. Puerto Rico).
• The United States improves to 24-4 all-time against Mexico at the U-18 level.

QUOTABLES

“Great team win,” said Stillman. “My thoughts throughout the game were just to pound the zone, make them hit it, and trust the defense. We’ve got an absolutely amazing infield and great outfield, so I just pounded the zone and made everything close.”

“Really good complete team win,” said U.S. Manager Rick Eckstein. “Aiden really set the tone, went six strong innings and some of the defensive plays were really huge. Cunningham had a big two-out hit, Rummel came in the game and closed the door … we played a really tight ballgame, kept our composure, and did the job.”

ON DECK

The United States advances to the semifinals and awaits the winner of Canada vs. Puerto Rico, who will meet Friday afternoon. First pitch of the semifinal contest will be on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. local/10:30 a.m. ET from Estadio Nacional Rod Carew.