After winning a tight game on Tuesday, Australia did not look ready for their quick turnaround. It didn't help that they were facing a red-hot Mexico squad, who has won three straight after an opening-game loss.

They are one win away from becoming the first International team to make it to the International championship in the double-elimination era of the Little League World Series after losing their first game. The last team to lose their first game and make it to the International Championship was the 2007 Caribbean squad, who lost their first game of pool play but rebounded to make it to the title game of the International bracket. Only one team from either side of the bracket has ever done the trick in the years of the double elimination format in Williamsport, and that was Hawaii, in 2010. 

Mexico left no doubt in their victory on Wednesday, thumping Australia 10-0, the game ending in four innings due to the mercy-rule. A six-run third inning and eleven-hit attack paced the Mexicans in their victory. Jose Angel Leal, Victor Juarez, and Luis Lauro Nuncio all picked up two hits for Mexico, with Leal and Juarez both homering. Diego Cantu had 2 RBI for Mexico, while Leal picked up the win on the mound with an excellent performance. 

Mexico's offense steals the show

Mexico jumped on the board early with a 2-run first inning, taking advantage of some spotty defense from Australia and a little bit of wildness from their pitcher. 

A single and an error began the inning, putting their leadoff runner on second base. A fielder's choice and wild pitch brought their first run into score, while Gael Isaac Cortez came around to score on a passed ball for a 2-0 Mexico lead. Leal and Juarez were both stranded in scoring position in the inning, one of the few wasted scoring chances by Mexico. 

After being held scoreless in the second inning, Mexico broke loose in the third inning, putting the game away by slapping a six-spot on the board. Leal set the tone for an inning with a monster jack to right-center field to give Mexico a 3-0 lead. Back to back singles and an error loaded the bases, but a strikeout gave the Mexicans one out. However, Cantu drove in two runs with a double almost to the wall in left-center field. Fabian Alejandro Mar drove in the remaining baserunners with a double. He stole third and scored on a wild pitch to conclude the scoring for the inning. 

Needing just two runs to put the mercy-rule in effect, Juarez took care of that, blasting a two-run home run following a leadoff double from Nuncio. The ten runs was easily enough to support their pitching, which was fabulous all day.

Mexico's Mar celebrates after a two-run double in the third inning. Gene J. Puskar AP Photo

Leal dominates on the mound

While his offense piled up the runs, thanks in no small part to himself, Leal dominated the Australians on the mound, striking out ten while giving up just one hit over 3.2 innings. He was removed one out before the conclusion of the game in order to keep him available if they make it to Saturday's International title game.

He struck out the side in the first inning, his lone blemish being a one-out single surrendered to Clayton Campbell. He needed just eleven pitches in a perfect second inning, striking out two and inducing an inning-ending lineout. When he came back out, Leal had a massive 8-0 lead, and he continued to cruise, not giving the Aussies even the slightest sniff of a rally. He struck out the final five batters he faced before giving way to the bullpen with two outs in the fourth, garnering the victory for Mexico. 

While Australia is eliminated, Mexico advances as one of the final three teams remaining in the tournament on the International side. They are in good position, as they will have Juarez, their ace, available to pitch against Asia-Pacific in yet another elimination game. 

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