LAREDO, TX-  Youngstown’s Astro Falcons jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back en route to a 10-0 victory over Mazatlan, Mexico here Friday morning.  The game was shortened to six innings due to the mercy rule being in effect. It was the first game of the Palomino World Series, a double-elimination tournament that includes teams from North America, Europe, and Asia.  

Logan Bell was masterful, allowing just two hits over the six innings while striking out six and walking none.  He allowed just two base runners to reach scoring position as the Mexican team struggled to make solid contact throughout.  

PHOTO CREDIT: ALLISON BELL

The Astro offense struck right away in the bottom of the first.  Chase Franken and Ricky Havrilla walked setting the table for Burke Camper who had his first of three hits on the day.  Lucas Gulczinski’s sacrifice fly plated camper to give Youngstown a 3-0 lead. Havrilla then drove in Franken with a two-out RBI single in the second.  Camper then blew the game open in the fifth with a two-run blast over the wall in left scoring Franken who had tripled. The Astro Falcons ended it in the sixth with four more runs.  Braeden O’Shaughnessy and Connor Miller singled before that Camper kid ended it with his third hit and fourth run batted in. Franken scored four runs from the leadoff spot. Bryan Rivas and Leonardo Benites had singles for Mexico.

Youngstown will face the West Zone champion Santa Clara tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. CST.  Win or lose they will play a second game later in the day. You can catch all the action at YSNlive.com as we will live stream Youngstown throughout the tournament.

*Story Contributed by Mark Franken