Society

Japan wins Little League World Series

Aug 28 (mlb.com) - Japan overpowered Texas in the Little League World Series championship game, 12-2, on Sunday. The victory marks the fifth time that a Japanese team has won the title since 2010.

Even though the gutsy squad from Lufkin, Texas, came up short of the ultimate prize, the team advanced further than any Southwest region or Texas team ever had.

After the game, the Japan kids reminded everyone of the role that sportsmanship plays in Little League, stating that they had become fond of the Texas players throughout the 11-day tournament.

"We traded pins, batting gloves, shirts and a lot of other stuff in the Grove," Ryusei Fujiwara said.

The United States champion jumped on Japan quickly. Leadoff man Chandler Spencer hit a homer on the first pitch from Japan starter Tsubasa Tomii for a quick U.S. lead.

Two batters later, Hunter Ditsworth belted an opposite-field shot to give Southwest a 2-0 margin, but Japan would answer with plenty of its own power.

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