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Venezuela and Florida survive the elimination round in the Little League World Series


Venezuela and Florida survive the elimination round in the Little League World Series

August 22, 2024; Williamsport, PA, USA; Latin American infielder Jose Perez (16) celebrates with infielder Diego Biarreta (19) after the game against Japan at Lamade Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

Latin American infielder Jose Perez (16) celebrates with infielder Diego Biarreta (19) after the game against Japan at Lamade Stadium. (Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports)

The Little League World Series is coming to an end and four teams are still in the running in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The Southeast team from Lake Mary, Florida, defeated the Mountain team in an elimination match on Thursday to set up a rematch against the Southwest team from Boerne, Texas, in the U.S. Championship. Later, the Latin America team from Barquisimeto, Venezuela, defeated Japan in a rematch to advance to the International Championship, where it will face the Asia-Pacific team from Taoyuan City, Chinese Taipei.

Both games will take place on Saturday, with Florida facing Texas and Venezuela facing Chinese Taipei for a spot in Sunday’s final.

Venezuela’s victory was dramatic because Japan, which beat Venezuela in the winner’s round, had the bases loaded and a chance to take the lead in the fourth inning. Then in the bottom of the sixth inning, they had runners on second and third base with one out. The runner on third base made it home on a grounder to shortstop Luis Yepez, who struck him out to maintain the lead.

Pitcher Johnson Freitaz scored the last out with a fly ball to center right, ending the game.

Venezuela is participating in the country’s first international championship since winning the tournament in 2000.

Whoever wins from Venezuela or Chinese Taipei will try to break the history of the championship, as no international team has won the title since 2017 (there was no tournament in 2020 and the event was reserved for the United States only in 2021).

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