Japan Advances in Little League World Series; Chicago to Play in U.S. Finals

By Francisco Romero

Four teams are left in the 2014 Little League World Series.  The international bracket features Japan versus South Korea for the championship, while the U.S. bracket will have Chicago face Las Vegas for the right to play in the final.

Mo’ne Davis Batting
Picture Courtesy of llbws.org

Japan eliminated Mexico on Thursday by a score of 12 – 1.  The Linda vista team from Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon scored in the first inning, but that would be all the offense they would have throughout the game.

The team from Japan was an offensive machine as they got 12 hits including three homeruns during the game. 

Japan’s Suguru Kanamori had two homers, while Juan Garza for Mexico hit a homerun in the first inning. 

Ren Takeuchi pitched a great game for Japan, allowing 1 hit in 3.2 innings on the mound. 

Chicago 6  – Philadelphia 5

Mo’ne Davis one of two girls playing in the Little League World Series will not be able to continue her historic run through the tournament.  Philadelphia was eliminated on Thursday by Chicago by a score of 6 – 5. 

Davis could not pitch against Chicago since she had already pitched Wednesday in a loss to Mountain Ridge 8 – 1.

Chicago will face Las Vegas Mountain Ridge and the winner will advance to the finals facing the winner of Japan – South Korea game.

Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West Little League team is playing in its first Little League World Series in 31 years.

The game had its share of drama, Chicago took a 6 – 2 lead in the second inning, but Philadelphia never gave up and came within a run of tying the game.

Las Vegas already beat Chicago by a score of 13 – 2 last Sunday, the will face each other once again on Saturday.

The Little League title game will be played Sunday.