Japan and Venezuela entered Wednesday as the only two International teams undefeated at the Little League World Series. The winner of the game would advance to the International championship. With two of the best Little League squads in the world facing off, it was expected to be an exciting, close game.
The game not only met expectations, it exceeded them.
After eight innings of back and forth baseball, Japan staged a furious rally in the bottom of the eighth inning, scoring three times in the frame to overcome a two-run deficit and topple Venezuela 5-4.
Venezuela entered the game with a pitching staff ERA of 1.00, the lowest in the tournament. Their starting pitcher Yeiner Fernandez was excellent but stumbled slightly in the sixth inning, allowing Japan to scratch out a run to tie the game.
Japan starter Kabu Kikuchi was also superb in his three innings, surrendering one hit and a run. He struck out seven in his outing.
Venezuela struck first, scoring in the third inning after Japan failed to capitalize on a bases loaded, two outs situation in the bottom of the second inning. After striking out the first two batters of the inning, Kikuchi slipped and allowed his first baserunner of the day, walking the Venezuela number nine hitter. This brought up Adrian Sandoval who made the two-out walk costly by ripping an RBI triple down the left field line.
It did not take long for Japan to get back as Shingo Tomita went deep, sending a high fly ball over the right field wall for a home run, tying the game at one run apiece.
Venezuela regained their lead immediately, scoring once in the top of the fourth inning. They put runners on the corners with nobody out thanks to a double and a single. Japan reliever Daiki Fukuyama minimized the damage, inducing a ground ball double play to eliminate the runner on first. The run scored but the Venezuela lead was just 2-1.
However, it appeared that might be the final score. Fernandez allowed just one hit over the next two innings, and Japan entered the bottom of the sixth inning still trailing 2-1.
Fernandez induced a ground out to start the inning but surrendered consecutive singles and exited the game in favor of reliever Johan Garcia. Garcia promptly struck out the next batter, but hot hitter Shingo Tomita came through with a clutch two-out RBI single to knot the game at 2-2. The runner on first was thrown out trying to score on the play.
Japan relief pitcher Masafuji Nishijima was lights out in the seventh inning, inducing a ground out before striking out the final two batters of the inning. Nishijima did well in his 3.1 innings of relief, striking out seven batters. Japan benefited from a one-out error. Kengo Tomita singled but their baserunner was thrown out trying to advance to third. Garcia got the next batter to line out sharply to second base.
Venezuela again took the lead in the eighth inning, becoming the first team to score twice in an inning during the game. Jeferson Quero and Fernandez walloped back-to-back home runs to stake Garcia to a two-run lead.
However, Japan, who was undefeated in the Japan tournament as well, rallied like undefeated teams will do. Nobuyuki Kawashima doubled to start the inning and advanced to third on Nishijima's single. Garcia got the next batter to ground out right back to him and forced the runner at second. The runner on third stayed put. He didn't have to wait long to score though, Shoho Yanagshima doubled to send the runner on first to third and scoring Japan's third run. Garcia intentionally walked the next batter to set up a potential double play. However, the next Japanese batter was hit by the pitch, scoring the tying run.
That set the stage for Yugo Aoki who ripped a hard single through the infield to score the winning run, setting off a shocking celebration for Japan.
Japan advances to the International Championship for the sixth-straight year. Venezuela drops to the losers bracket to play Mexico on Thursday. The winner of that game will play Japan on Saturday.