Japan opened the scoring with two runs in the second innings, which included a Koki Yamashita solo home run.

Jean Carlo Rodriguez Diaz then hit a home run of his own to cut the deficit in the third innings, before also scoring a single in the fifth to level the score.

Carlos Alfredo Mosquera Ayala then produced another single in the eighth innings to nudge Panama ahead, who managed to hold onto the lead to record a memorable win over the top ranked side in the world.

Meanwhile the hosts, Mexico, defeated Nicaragua 7-4.

Manuel Alejandro Cruz Casique hit a sublime grand slam in the seventh innings to score four runs and delight the home crowd.

Norberto Obeso contributed the other three runs in the match, while Misael Verduzco pitched three scoreless innings.

Australia also kept their gold medal hopes alive as they managed to defeat South Korea 9-7.

The score was tied when Robbie Perkins hit a two-out, home run in the bottom of the seventh innings that proved to be the difference.

The Koreans had scored four runs in the third innings and then levelled the game in the fifth before Perkins produced his match winning strike.

On the final day of super round action tomorrow, Australia will meet Panama, while Mexico will face Japan and Nicaragua will clash with South Korea in pivotal contests that will decide Sunday's (November 6) gold medal match.

In the day's only consolation round match, Chinese Taipei thrashed Venezuela 10-0 in Saltillo.

Tomorrow's consolation matches, which sees teams competing for places seven to 12 in the overall standings, feature Argentina and the Czech Republic while South Africa take on Austria, who are still yet to win a game at the competition.