If you had said that Japan was going to win their third game of the Little League World Series, most probably would have assumed Japan would be 3-0, making another appearance in the International Championship. 

Although things didn't go quite as planned for the traditional powerhouse squad out of Japan, they still managed to rebound after two losses and an early exit from the tournament, winning their consolation game 6-1 over the Southwest. 

Yujiro Moriya ripped three hits for the visiting Japan team, while Ryota Endo pitched five innings of one-run ball to earn the victory. 

Japan uses strong bats to claim victory

Japan, after mustering just five runs in their first two games, finally busted out in this one, earning six runs in their victory. The run parade started with a two-run inning to start the game. Moriya and Endo reached base with a single and walk respectively, both coming around later in the inning to score with two outs on a single from Jo Adachi, who singled to right field for a 2-0 Japan lead. It was their biggest lead of the tournament thus far, and they would be sure to expand that two-run margin.

As it so often does, a leadoff walk came around to score for Japan in the second inning, pushing their lead to 3-0, althought the Southwest matched their single tally in the second inning with one of their own to cut into the deficit. It was the only run they managed, as Japan finished with three unanswered runs. 

One of those runs came in the fourth frame, as Japan, one out away from wasting a leadoff double, celebrated as Moriya came through again, expanding the lead to 4-1 with a hard-hit double to left field. 

Japan put the ballgame away in the sixth inning with two more runs to increase their lead to 6-1. Endo, who was done on the mound after five innings, ensured he would get the win with a run-scoring double to start the rally, eventually coming around to score on a single from Tatsuya Suzuki.

Japan scores a run in their victory. ​ ​Gene Puskar

Endo dominates on the bump

While his offense racked up the runs to support him, Ryota Endo picked up the win with five superb innings on the mound, surrendering just one run. He took advantage of a double play in the first inning to escape while facing the minimum three batters. After a rough second frame, Endo returned to strand runners on the corners in the third inning, freezing Southwest's cleanup hitter with a called strike three.

That strikeout was the first of six straight batters retired by Endo, as he retired the side in order in the fourth and took care of the first two batters in the fifth. After a two-out walk, Endo rebounded to get another groundout and end his outing on a strong note. He gave up just four hits and two walks while whiffing three batters in his excellent performance.

Suzuki finished the game, giving up a hit but needing just eleven pitches to complete the inning. 

VAVEL Logo
About the author