LLWS 2026 Game 21 Recap: Canada 3, Panama 2
Canada staved off elimination with a 3-2 extra-innings win over Panama at Lamade Stadium. The Vancouver-based team was no-hit through six innings but rallied for three runs in the seventh. Connor Ross delivered the go-ahead RBI single on a full count to seal the comeback.
Every run of the game came in the wild seventh inning, with Panama answering back for two runs of its own. Canada held on to survive, moving to 2-1 in the double-elimination tournament. Panama’s tournament run ends after the tight loss.
Five Runs, All in the Seventh Inning
Canada started the extra frame with Jacob Massel already placed on second base under the tie-breaker rule. He advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored the game’s first run on a throwing error during a fielder’s-choice bunt from Connor Matsuda. Jean Ramos then walked before Connor Ross lined a single to center on a full count to score him.
Matsuda advanced to third and scored on a fielder’s-choice groundout from Jason Mezzarobba to make it 3-0. Panama answered in the bottom half, as Jeickot Sánchez hit a run-scoring double and later came around to score himself on a wild pitch. Panama’s rally fell one run short of forcing extra frames.
Jacob Massel Sets the Tone Early
Massel started for Canada and struck out seven batters over five scoreless innings to keep the game within reach. He later played a direct role in the winning rally, scoring Canada’s first run of the extra seventh inning. Cruz Krpan came on in relief and picked up the win for Canada.
Panama’s missing ace: Panama’s hard-throwing starter Lucas Olmos did not take the mound in this game, a notable absence for the Panama Region team. Panama still pushed the game to extra innings before a costly throwing error and a full-count single from Connor Ross turned the tide for Canada.
How the Game Unfolded, Inning by Inning
| Inning | Key Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1st–6th | Jacob Massel and Panama’s pitching staff trade zeros. Canada is held without a hit through six full innings. | CAN 0, PAN 0 |
| 7th (Top) | Massel scores on a throwing error during a fielder’s-choice bunt. Connor Ross singles home Jean Ramos, and Matsuda scores on a groundout. | CAN 3, PAN 0 |
| 7th (Bottom) | Jeickot Sánchez doubles home a run and later scores himself on a wild pitch. Panama’s rally falls just short. | Final: CAN 3, PAN 2 |
Game 21 Box Score
| Team | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 3 | TBD | TBD |
| Panama | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Pitcher | Team | IP | K | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Massel | Canada | 5 | 7 | No decision |
| Cruz Krpan | Canada | TBD | TBD | Win |
| Key Play | Player | Team | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| RBI Single | Connor Ross | Canada | Full-count line drive to center, scored Jean Ramos in the 7th |
| RBI Double | Jeickot Sánchez | Panama | Scored a run in the bottom of the 7th, later scored himself |
Next Games for Canada and Panama
Canada’s path forward: Little Mountain Little League survives elimination and moves to 2-1 in the tournament. Canada now turns its attention to a matchup against South Korea later this week. Panama’s tournament run comes to a close after falling one run short in extra innings.
Conclusion
Canada survived elimination with a 3-2 extra-innings win over Panama in Game 21 of the 2026 LLWS. Connor Ross delivered the go-ahead RBI single in a three-run seventh inning after Canada was held hitless through six. Jacob Massel struck out seven over five scoreless innings to keep the game within reach.
Canada advances to face South Korea later this week in the elimination bracket. Panama’s tournament run ends after its own two-run rally in the seventh fell one run short. The extra-innings thriller marked one of the tightest games of the 2026 tournament so far.
