Cousino set the 16U National Team record for most at-bats with seven, while his four hits tied for the second most, his five RBIs tied for third most, and his two doubles tied the single-game record. He also scored three times.
Second baseman Kevin Kramer (Turlock, Calif.) also had a pair of doubles in the win, tying the single-game record.
The U.S. had 45 at-bats in the victory, good enough for second most in single-game history. The 19 hits tied for the fourth most and the six doubles tied for the third most.
The U.S. jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Cousino sent a grounder up the middle and showed great hustle to turn a routine single into a double to lead off the game. Two batters later, Kramer lined an RBI double to center to score Cousino. Catcher Evan Powell (Lake Charles, La.) then reached on an infield single, beating the throw to first. When first baseman Hiram Gutierrez dropped the throw, Kramer scored from third and Powell advanced to second. Right fielder Albert Almora (Hialeah, Fla.) followed with an RBI double to left to bring in Powell.
The Americans added a run in the top half of the second to go ahead 4-0. Center fielder JoMarcos Woods (Orlando, Fla.) laced a lead-off double over the left fielder's head to start the inning. After moving to third on a groundout by Cousino, Woods would score on a sacrifice fly to center by shortstop Francisco Lindor (Clermont, Fla.).
Mexico would score on an RBI groundout by right fielder Youeamot Cota in the bottom of the second to make it a 4-1 game.
Two costly errors in the bottom of the fourth allowed Mexico to cut the U.S. lead to 4-2.
The U.S. added a pair of runs in the top of the sixth to go ahead 6-2. Cousino doubled to left to begin the frame and advanced to third on a single through the right side by Lindor. When Mexico pitcher Omar Basulto tried to pick off Lindor at first, Cousino broke for home and beat the throw to the plate, sliding in safely under the tag. Lindor would later score from second on an error by shortstop Manuel Del Paez.
Mexico answered with a couple of runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth to make it a 6-4 game. Gutierrez had an RBI triple, and Cota added an RBI single in the inning.
The Americans responded, putting up four runs in the top half of the seventh to extend their lead to 10-4. First baseman Ricky Jacquez (El Paso, Texas) would draw a one-out walk and advance to second on a balk to get the inning started. Two batters later, Woods was hit by a pitch. Cousino then hammered an 0-1 pitch over the right-field wall for a three-run homer. Lindor followed with a stand-up triple to right, and Kramer capped the frame with an RBI double to left-center.
Del Paez added an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh for Mexico, cutting the U.S. lead to 10-5.
Team USA would add two more runs in the top of the eighth to increase its lead to 12-5. Almora drew a lead-off walk, and third baseman C.J. Hinojosa (Spring, Texas) singled to center to begin the inning. Jacquez would then move both runners up a base with a sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, Woods drew a walk on four straight pitches to load the bases. Cousino then drove in Almora and Hinojosa with a two-run single through the right side.
Mexico third baseman Fernando Perez scored on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the eighth to close the gap to 12-6.
A four-run ninth inning gave the U.S. a 10-run lead at 16-6. Lindor singled through the right side and stole second to start the frame. Kramer then drew a walk, and Lindor advanced to third when the fourth ball to Kramer was in the dirt. After Kramer moved to second on a wild pitch, Powell drew a walk to load the bases. Almora followed with a two-run single up the middle, scoring Lindor and Kramer and moving Powell to third. Hinojosa then lined the first pitch he saw to left for an RBI single. Jacquez capped the scoring with an RBI single to right to plate Almora.
Kramer finished 3-for-5 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored, Almora was 3-for-5 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored, and Lindor went 3-for-5 with a triple, an RBI and three runs scored. Hinojosa was 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored, Woods went 1-for-4 with a double and two runs scored, Jacquez was 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, and Powell finished 1-for-5 with two runs scored.
Kenny Mathews (Diamond Bar, Calif.) picked up the win after holding Mexico to four runs -- three earned -- on four hits in 5 2/3 innings of work. He also registered seven strikeouts in the win. Courtney Hawkins (Corpus Christi, Texas) was solid out of the bullpen, limiting Mexico to two runs on four hits in 2 1/3 innings pitched with two strikeouts. Cory Geisler (Spring, Texas) came on in the ninth and struck out the side to finish the game.
Ivan Rivera (1-1) took the loss for Mexico after surrendering four runs on seven hits in two innings pitched.
Team USA will face Korea on Wednesday at 2 p.m. local time (2 a.m. EDT). It will be the final game in pool play before the medal rounds start on Friday.
