After over a week of hard-fought baseball, Japan and Tennessee are the two remaining teams, and they will face off on Sunday afternoon in the 2012 Little League World Series Championship Game.
Both Japan and Tennessee have yet to lose in Williamsport, Pa., but they have been tested. Japan needed extra innings to defeat Chinese Taipei and barely won against Latin America—a game where they clinched a berth in the International Championship Game.
Tennessee thought that they had the United States Championship Game won, holding a 10-run lead going into the bottom of the sixth inning against California on Saturday. California struck for 10 runs in the frame to tie the game and send it into extra innings. Tennessee then scored nine runs in the seventh and was able to hold on to advance to Sunday’s featured matchup.
Japan has seven Little League World Series titles—which is tied for the second most all-time—while Tennessee is seeking its first.
Will it be the high-powered Tennessee offense that wins this one or the strong Japanese pitching?
Stay right here for starting lineups, game updates and analysis for the 2012 Little League World Series Championship Game between Japan and Tennessee.
Top 5: Japan 10, USA 1
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Osaka, who has hit two home runs this game already, comes up Japan looking to end the game with his third.
Osaka hits a two-run home run to center field and Japan wins the Little League World Series!
Osaka hits a two-run home run to center field and Japan wins the Little League World Series!
Bottom 5: Japan leads 10-2
Japan needs just two runs this inning in order to win the Little League World Series. They’ve scored in every inning and I wouldn’t be shocked if this one ends an inning early. Lyle takes over for Osborne.
Motegi leads the fifth off with a strikeout, but he reaches as the ball gets away.
Japan needs just two runs this inning in order to win the Little League World Series. They’ve scored in every inning and I wouldn’t be shocked if this one ends an inning early. Lyle takes over for Osborne.
Motegi leads the fifth off with a strikeout, but he reaches as the ball gets away.
Marlin strikes out to end the fifth.
We head to the bottom of the fifth inning with Japan leading 10-2. If they score two runs, this one will be over.
We head to the bottom of the fifth inning with Japan leading 10-2. If they score two runs, this one will be over.
Smith strikes out looking and there are two outs in the top of the fifth inning.
Osborne lines out quickly to Kiyomiya at first base.
Top 5: Japan leads 10-1
If Tennessee doesn’t score in this inning, it will most likely end in the bottom half of the frame via the 10-run rule. Kiyomiya’s day is complete as Osaka replaces him on the mound. He allowed just one run on one hit, the Myers home run, and struck out eight.
Butler, yesterdays’ hero, hits a home run to start the inning and Tennessee will look to build off of that.
If Tennessee doesn’t score in this inning, it will most likely end in the bottom half of the frame via the 10-run rule. Kiyomiya’s day is complete as Osaka replaces him on the mound. He allowed just one run on one hit, the Myers home run, and struck out eight.
Butler, yesterdays’ hero, hits a home run to start the inning and Tennessee will look to build off of that.
Irie grounds out to the shortstop and the inning is over.
Japan was a run away from ending this one via the 10-run rule, but we’ll head to the top of the fifth inning with them leading Tennessee 10-1.
Japan was a run away from ending this one via the 10-run rule, but we’ll head to the top of the fifth inning with them leading Tennessee 10-1.
Ok so Hirano is now up. Lots of confusion about where he was just a few minutes ago.
Ishida takes second on a ball in the dirt.
Hirano hits a two-run home run to left-center field and Japan now leads this one 10-1.
Ishida takes second on a ball in the dirt.
Hirano hits a two-run home run to left-center field and Japan now leads this one 10-1.
Osada comes up with a man on first and one out. Osada strikes out
looking and there are two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Correction: Hirano just walked and Ishida is now up at the plate.
Ishida grounds into a fielder’s choice as Butler tags the lead runner. Kiyomiya comes in to score Japans seventh run.
Ishida grounds into a fielder’s choice as Butler tags the lead runner. Kiyomiya comes in to score Japans seventh run.
Ishida walks and there are runners on the corners. Osborne has yet to record an out.
Oshima scores on a passed ball with Ishida at the plate.
Osaka goes to the bullpen to warm up. Kiyomiya has less than 10 pitches before he reaches the 85-pitch maximum.
Kiyomiya hits a double to center field and there are runners on second and third base and Aoyama coming up.
Kiyomiya hits a double to center field and there are runners on second and third base and Aoyama coming up.
Oshima gets hit by a pitch and Japan has a man on with nobody out.
Bottom 4: Japan leads 5-1
Osborne replaces Smith on the mound. He finishes with three innings pitched, five runs on seven hits and three strikeouts.
The first pitch from Osborne is a solo home run from Osaka, his second on the day. Japan now leads Tennessee 6-1.
Osborne replaces Smith on the mound. He finishes with three innings pitched, five runs on seven hits and three strikeouts.
The first pitch from Osborne is a solo home run from Osaka, his second on the day. Japan now leads Tennessee 6-1.
Carter strikes out looking and the inning is over. He now has eight
strikeouts on the day, but the shutout is over as Myers takes him deep.
Through three and a half, Japan leads 5-1.
O’Berry strikes out and there are two down in the top of the fourth
inning. That's the seventh strikeout on the day for Kiyomiya.
That also breaks up Kiyomiya’s shutout and his no-hitter.
These kids have such class for such a young age. Each pitcher shakes
the hand of any batter that he hits and now Kiyomiya shakes the hand of
Myers after he hits a home run off of him.
Myers hits a solo shot to left field and he’s now the first United States player to hit five home runs in five games.
Top 4: Japan leads 5-0
Same story as last inning: Tennessee needs to get going against Kiyomiya unless they’re in serious trouble. They have nine outs to score at least five runs, but need to get their first hit, first.
Snyder strikes out to start the top of the fourth. That’s the sixth strikeout on the day for Kiyomiya.
Same story as last inning: Tennessee needs to get going against Kiyomiya unless they’re in serious trouble. They have nine outs to score at least five runs, but need to get their first hit, first.
Snyder strikes out to start the top of the fourth. That’s the sixth strikeout on the day for Kiyomiya.
Ishizuka grounds into a fielder’s choice that ends the inning, but
Japan gets two more runs and they lead 5-0 over Tennessee through three
innings.
Irie gets hit in the back and that will extend the inning further.
Kagami strikes out for the second out.
Takahashi grounds out to the shortstop for the first out of the inning.
Ishida follows the single up with a deep two-run home run to center field and Japan now holds a 5-0 lead over Tennessee.
Bottom 3: Japan leads 3-0
Japan has scored in each of the first two innings of this championship game. Will they make it three in a row?
Miyashita starts the inning with a single up the middle.
Japan has scored in each of the first two innings of this championship game. Will they make it three in a row?
Miyashita starts the inning with a single up the middle.
Rucker grounds out to the second baseman to end the inning.
Kiyomiya has done a great job at mixing speeds. Rucker was the victim of two check-swing strikes to start the at-bat. He has yet to allow a hit through three innings of work.
Kiyomiya has done a great job at mixing speeds. Rucker was the victim of two check-swing strikes to start the at-bat. He has yet to allow a hit through three innings of work.
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