by JAMES S. KIM
Twice is just as nice for South Korea, as they defeated Japan 12-3 to secure the Little League World Series International Championship in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. That makes it consecutive wins against Japan during the 2014 tournament, and South Korea now advances to the World Series Championship game on Sunday.
The two best international teams were set to play a highly-anticipated rematch, but South Korea made things look easy against the reigning Little League World Series champs.
After both teams went scoreless through the first two innings, the South Korean offense roared to life in the third, plating seven runs. Hae Chan Choi knocked in a two-run double, and Dong Wan Sin cleared the bases with a hit that ricocheted off pitcher Joichiro Fujimatsu and went into left field.
Choi and Yoo Jun Ha both homered in the top of the sixth to only add insult to injury, putting the game well out of reach.
Despite losing to South Korea on Thursday, 4-2, Japan kept themselves in the tournament following that loss by beating up on Mexico, 12-1, in an elimination game on Friday. However, that offense was nonexistent on Saturday as the South Korean pitchers once again nullified the Japanese offense. Jae Yeong Hwang capped a perfect two innings to begin the game, and Japan was kept to just one hit through four innings.
South Korea is now 10-0 all-time in the Little League World Series, winning the championship in their only two appearances in 1984 and 1985. They will face Illinois, who beat Nevada 7-5 later in the day. The game will take place tomorrow at 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET on ABC.
Photo via ESPN
