Japan suffers 2nd loss, eliminated from LLWS

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — While Mexico and Rhode Island combined for 20 runs in their first two victories on Day 3 of the LLWS, the third contest was anything but a blowout. Japan and Curacao’s dramatic tilt remained tied until the fourth, and ultimately ended with a one-run margin of victory.

Saturday, Aug. 20

Game 11

Caribbean 2, Japan 1

After a pair of bombastic opening contests, a pitchers’ duel punctuated by some dazzling defense was overdue. Both Japan and Curacao tried to play small ball to get the momentum going, but in the fourth inning they scrapped that tactic in favor of big blasts. Japan’s So Hirao went deep to center in the top of the fourth, but Donovan Antonia evened things up with a solo shot in the bottom of the frame. Curacao scored again in the fifth — on a bases-loaded walk — and had a chance for more, but Japan’s right fielder stifled any hopes for a rally when he caught an Antonia fly ball and threw out the runner trying to tag from third.

NOTABLE PERFORMERS

Antonia provided the offensive boost that Curacao needed with his home run, while starting pitcher Jadon Gosepa kept his team in a tight game with seven strikeouts over five …

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