Petaluma freshman Joe Brown, Team USA's 15-and-under baseball squad win gold at World Cup

Petaluma High freshman Joe Brown and his USA Baseball 15U national team won the gold medal at the 2018 World Baseball Softball Confederation World Cup Sunday in Chiriqui, Panama.

Team USA beat host Panama 7-1 to claim the title.

The 14-year-old Brown is one of two players on the team who is playing a year ahead of others his age in the national program.

Brown played in five of the nine games in the tournament but did not start. He had one at-bat, scored one run, had one walk and was hit by a pitch. He was credited with one assist in the field.

You can reach staff columnist Kerry Benefield at 526-8671 or kerry.benefield@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @benefield.