By BRETT R. CROSSLEY
WILLIAMSPORT–It might not have been a dream matchup on paper, but what the Caribbean and Japan might have proved is the world is catching up.
Donovan Antonia hit a solo home run in the fourth and Egory Manuela scored on a bases loaded walk to defeat Japan 2-1.
The loss eliminates Japan after just two games at the Little League World Series.
Japan’s offensive woes finally came to a close when So Hirao connected with a home run to right-center field for a 1-0 lead.
The Caribbean wouldn’t be down long after Donovan Antonia connected with a monster home run over the left field fence. He even gave a slow trot in front of his dugout to pump up the fans.
The Caribbean was able to get runners on third and first in the opening inning, but failed to get a run after Sosuke Igawa recorded a strikeout to end the inning.
Japan’s first two batters reached base with a single and error, respectively. After those two, Japan’s bats went cold as two strikeouts and four pop outs got the Caribbean through the first two innings.
The Japan hitters stayed under the ball, popping out five consecutive times to bridge the first, second, and third innings. The streak finally ended with a strikeout.
Caribbean 2, Japan 1
JAP 000 100-1 4 1
CAR 000 11X-2 3 1
Sosuke Igawa, Takumi Ito (5), and Akira Jozawa. Jadon Gosepa, Gedionne Marlin, and Donovan Antonia.
WP: Antonia. LP: Igawa.
Top Japan hitters: So Hirao 1-2, HR, run, RBI. Top Caribbean hitters: Donovan Antonia 1-3, HR, run, RBI.
Records: Japan 0-2. Caribbean 1-1.
