PANAMA CITY, Panama — Panama lost the first game of the Latin American Big League Baseball to Venezuela, 3-2. But the host team fought back and played perfect through the rest of the tournament to earn the Latin American Regional title and earn a spot in the Big League World Series, coming up July 28-Aug. 4 at the J.B. “Red” Owens Recreation Complex in Easley.

In winning the Latin American Regional tournament, Panama also eliminated defending Big League World Series champions Dominican Republic. Dominican Republic had won back-to-back Latin American titles coming into this year’s tournament.

After losing its first game, Panama came back with a 14-1 win over Costa Rica and a 5-3 win over Aruba to earn a spot in the tournament semi-finals from Pool A.

Venezuela finished pool play with a 3-0 record, taking first place in Pool A.

Over in Pool B, there was a three-way fight for two spots. Mexico defeated Curacao 14-8 and Columbia 8-7, but lost to the Dominican Republic 4-2. The Dominican Republican defeated Mexico and Columbia, but lost to Curacao 8-6. Curacao also defeated Columbia, leaving the team in a three-way tie with Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Curacao lost in the tie breaker. The Dominican Republic received the top seed from Pool B and Mexico was given the second seed from the pool.

Venezuela topped Mexico 8-7 in the first semi-final game.

Panama upset the Dominican Republic 7-4 in the second semi-final game, setting up a rematch between Venezuela and Panama for the championship game. Panama edged Venezuela 5-4 to win the regional title.

Since 2006, two Latin American teams have been invited each year to the Big League World Series. Mexico and Puerto Rico alternate using an automatic berth. The second spot goes to the winner of the Latin American Regional Tournament.

This year Puerto Rico will receive an automatic berth.

This will be the second trip to Easley by a team from Panama. In 2006, Panama won the Latin American Regional to earn a spot in the Big League World Series. The regional was held in Guatamala that year. In the 2006 BLWS, Panama finished 2-2, including an exciting 11-inning 3-2 loss to the host team.

Panama, Puerto Rico and the host team (South Carolina District One) are the only three teams that have secured spots in the 2010 Big League World Series so far. Eight more spots remain to be filled for the tournament.