Little League World Series Scores 2012: Daily Results, Highlights & Recap

One of the great annual traditions in sports is set to begin on August 16 in Williamsport, as the 66th Little League World Series takes place. 

In addition to just being a flat-out fun event to watch, and seeing the joy all the kids playing are clearly having, you can see some great individual and team performances over the course of the next 10 days. 

Even though there will be teams from the United States battling each other, and teams from all over the world battling each other, everything will come down to one epic showdown on August 26 to determine which country is the best. 

Over the first 65 Little League World Series, things could not have been tighter. California's victory over Japan gave the United States a 33-32 advantage over the world all-time in this event. 

The action is fierce, intense and these kids are all out to win. It is going to be a monumental 10 days from Williamsport, and we will have daily recaps of all the day's action until the final out in the Championship Game is recorded. 

Follow @adamwells1985

August 26: Japan vs. Tennessee

Final Score

Japan 12

Tennessee 2

Record

Japan (4-0)

Tennessee (3-1)

Noriatsu Osaka's two home runs propelled Japan to a dominant victory in the Little League World Series championship. The two homers have him three overall for the tournament.

Kotaro Kiyomiya added to that with his dazzling pitching performance. He took a no-hitter into the fourth inning and was dominant throughout the game. He even added a few hits at the dish.

This game was never really close. Brock Myers managed to hit his fifth home run of the tournament, but the bright spots were few and far between for the boys from Goodlettsville.

August 26: Panama vs. California

Final Score

California 12

Panama 4

Records

California (5-2)

Panama (3-3)

California proved in this consolation game that the only team that could defeat them at this year's Little League World Series was Tennessee, defeating Panama by a score of 12-4.

The victory for the West champions came just one day after a stunning 24-16 score with Tennessee that ultimately saw California on the losing end.

The California players would have loved to go home as the Little League World Series champions, but they did get to leave Williamsport with their heads held high after this consolation victory.

August 25: Southeast vs. West

Final Score

Southeast 24, West 16 

Records

Southeast (4-0)

West (4-2)

Yes, you read that score correctly. The Southeast won by a touchdown and a two-point conversion. This was a wild game. 

The Southeast took a 15-5 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning, but the West plated 10 runs to miraculously tie it up and send it to extra innings.. 

However, the Southeast had the answer as they exploded for nine in the bottom of the seventh, and the West had no answer for that. 

August 25: Japan vs. Panama

Final Score:

Japan 10, Panama 2

Records:

Japan: (4-0)

Panama: (3-2)

In a rematch of the Aug. 22 contest between the two teams, Japan handed Panama its second loss of the tournament en route to capturing the International championship.

The Japanese pitching staff easily dealt with Panama's batting order, striking out nine over the six inning contest. On the offensive side for the victorious team, power hitter Kotaro Kiyomia launched a home run into the stands that has been estimated at 310 feet.

Manager Yoichi Kobo now focuses his sights on the Little League World Series championship game marking the third time he's brought the Japanese team to this stage in his career.

Japan will play the victor of the Southeast vs. West game in the final while Panama will play the loser in the consolation game.

August 23: Southwest vs. West

Final Score:

West 11, Southwest 1

Records:

West (4-1)

Southwest (2-2)

Southwest pitcher Danny Marzo dominated the hill, allowing only one run off of two hits. He struck out 11 batters while surrendering only one walk—a masterful performance under the circumstances. 

His teammate, Hance Smith, did more than enough at the plate to move Southwest on to the semifinals, batting three for three with two home runs and five RBI. 

The rest of the lineup pitched in six more runs for a decisive victory. 

August 23: Mexico vs. Latin America

Final Score:

Latin America 2, Mexico 1

Records:

Mexico (3-2)

Latin America (3-1)

Mexico's bats were quieted by the Panama pitching in this game, and this was a surprisingly low-scoring battle between two teams that had been hot at the plate.

There was drama all the way through until the end of this one, as Mexico had the tying run on second base in the bottom of the sixth inning. But Panama pulled out the victory and will now face Japan in the International Championship game.                                                     

August 22: Southeast vs. Southwest

Final Score:

Southeast 4, Southwest 3

Records:

Southeast (3-0)

Southwest (2-1)

The team from Goodlettsville, Tennessee continued its undefeated run through the Little League World series by scoring two runs in the top of the sixth inning to take the lead against its opponents from San Antonio, Texas.

San Antonio also came into the game undefeated, so they still have a chance at a rematch with the Southeast representatives if they can get by Petaluma, California. 

August 22: Japan vs. Panama

Final Score:

Japan, Panama 1

Records:

Japan (3-0)

Panama (2-1)

Panama became the first team at the Little League World Series to score a run on Japan, but that was all they managed to do against the team from Tokyo. Japan has looked phenomenal in Williamsport thus far, and they have earned a spot in the International Championship game.

Japan jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, and given the way the team has been pitching, the outlook did not look good for Panama from that point on. The Latin American representatives earned a run in the fifth, but so did the Japanese, and the Panamanians could not avoid their first loss.

The International Championship game could be a rematch of this outing, as Panama would stay alive with a win against Mexico.

August 21: California vs. Connecticut

Final Score:

California 5, Connecticut 0

Record:

California (3-1)

Connectcut (2-2)

Petaluma, Calif. will play in the U.S. semifinals on Thursday night with their victory over Fairfield, Conn. on Tuesday night.

Their effort was led by Hance Smith. He hit a three-run shot in the third inning, and that was all pitcher Quinton Gago needed. Connecticut couldn't figure out Gago as he struck out seven Fairfield batters.

California will play the loser of Tennessee and Texas on Thursday.

August 21: Caribbean vs. Mexico

Final Score:

Mexico 6, Caribbean 2

Record:

Caribbean (2-2)

Mexico (3-1)

The big bats from Mexico continued to take opposing pitchers deep, hitting two home runs off of Curaçao in the third inning. The team scored gained the lead with five runs in that third inning, and refused to give it back.

Mexico's offensive performance has created buzz this tournament, but it was several remarkable defensive plays in this game that kept the Curaçao batters off of the base path. Both the infielders and the outfielders showed incredible focus and athleticism to keep the team in the lead.

This was an elimination game, so Mexico will continue to play for a chance to play in the International Championship game. 

August 21: Oregon vs. Uganda

Final Score

Uganda 3, Oregon 2

Record

Uganda (1-2)

Oregon (0-3)

Uganda made history in an exciting, close game, becoming the first African team to win a game at the Little League World Series. It took some late-inning heroics, as they scored a run in the bottom of the fifth inning before holding Oregon scoreless in the top of the sixth to seal the victory. 

Both Oregon and Uganda are done as a result of having lost their first two games, but it was a nice moment for Uganda, and one those kids deserve to celebrate forever. 

August 20: New England vs. Great Lakes

Final Score

New England 4, Great Lakes 0

Record

New England (2-1)

Great Lakes (1-2)

Will Lucas put his New England (Fairfield, Connecticut) on the board in the second inning by jacking a two-run home run, and that was more than enough scoring to propel his team to victory because he also chucked a no-hit shutout. 

Needless to say, this is not a game Lucas will soon forget. He walked only one and recorded 13 of his 18 outs via the strikeout. 

August 20: Mexico vs. Asia-Pacific

Final Score

Mexico 4, Asia-Pacific 3

Record

Mexico (2-1)

Asia-Pacific (1-2)

In a well-played and exciting game Mexico (Nuevo Laredo) knocked out traditional powerhouse Asia-Pacific (Chinese Taipei) with a 4-3 victory. 

Mexico was trailing 2-1 entering the bottom of the third when they used a great team effort, and some sloppy play by their opponents, to plate three runs and take the lead for good. 

Asia-Pacific added a run in the fourth, but they were shutout in the final two innings. 

August 20: Mid-Atlantic vs. West

Final Score

West 5, Mid-Atlantic 4

Record

West (2-1)

Mid-Atlantic (1-2)

With both teams fighting for their tournament lives, the West (Petaluma, California) and the Mid-Atlantic (Parsippany, New Jersey) went into extra innings tied at four. 

The score remained until Petaluma's Danny Marzo deposited an 0-1, eighth-inning pitch over the right field wall for the storybook, walk-off shot.

August 20: Caribbean vs. Canada

Final Score

Caribbean 4, Canada 3

Record

Caribbean (2-1)

Canada (1-2)

Canada (Vancouver, British Columbia) exits the 2012 Little League World Series as they began it: in thrilling fashion. Unfortunately for them, they were on the wrong side of this outcome. 

Canada took a 3-1 lead into the fifth inning, but they couldn't hold on as they allowed the Caribbean (Willemstad, Curacao) to plate three in the fifth, and neither team scored in the sixth.

This concludes a tournament that started off promising for Canada when they defeated Mexico 13-9 in their opener.

August 20: Europe vs. Midwest

Final Score

Midwest 17, Europe 1

Record

Midwest (1-2)

Europe (0-3)

After both sides lost their first two games, he Midwest (Kearney, Nebraska) and Europe (Germany) met for their one last chance to gain a victory from their trip to the Little League World Series. The kids from Kearney did not let this opportunity slip through their fingers. 

They belted out 15 runs in the second inning to set a new LLWS mark for runs in an inning. 

Shortstop Jared Wegner led the way with three hits, one of which was a home run, in his four at bats that resulted in five RBI. 

August 19: Far East vs. Asia-Pacific

Final Score

Far East 2, Asia-Pacific 0

Record

Far East (2-0)

Asia-Pacific (1-1)

This game went nine innings before Japan's Hajime Motegi cracked the decisive two-run home run over the center-field fence to give his team the victory.

If you didn't see the emotion on Motegi's face as he rounded the bases you need to go back and do it. He sums up what these kids are playing for within 360 feet of base trotting.

The game, obviously, was dominated by both team's pitchers. Thirty batters struck out between the two teams, but Motegi's hit is the only at-bat we will remember in this one.

August 19: Southwest vs. Great Lakes

Final Score

Southwest 13, Great Lakes 3

Record

Southwest (2-0)

Great Lakes (1-1)

This game got off to a blistering start with the Southwest (San Antonio, Texas) hanging up three runs in the top half of the first, and the Great Lakes (New Castle, Indiana) almost matching them with a two spot in the bottom of the first. 

That score remained through the third inning. However, it was all San Antonio from there as they added six in the fourth, two in the fifth and two more in the sixth. New Castle would not get their other run until the bottom of the sixth. 

Leadoff man Jordan Cardenas led the way by going 2-for-3 and notching his second home run of the tournament. 

August 19: West vs. Southeast

Final Score

Southeast 9, West 6

Record

Southeast (2-0)

West (1-1)

The Southeast (Goodlettsville, Tennessee) exploded in the top of the sixth for four runs to help them beat the West (Petaluma, California) by a score a 9-6 win in a wild, back-and-forth game. 

California, trailing by four entering the bottom of the sixth, took a stab at a rally as third baseman Cole Tomei belted a home run to lead off the inning, but that was the only run they'd be able to muster. 

August 19: Canada vs. Panama

Final Score

Latin America (Panama) 8 - British Colombia (Canada) 3

Record

Panama (2-0)

Canada (1-1)

Canada couldn't match the hot start that propelled them to their opening game 13-9 victory of Mexico. Instead, they fell behind 8-0 and didn't score once until the fourth inning as Panama cruised to reach the 2-0 mark.

With their second consecutive win, Panama has clinched a bye until they will meet either Japan or Chinese Taipei on Wednesday. A win there would mean big things for the Latin American team.

Canada, on the other hand, will now play on Monday against Curacao. The Caribbean team annihilated Germany 14-2 on Saturday in order to stay in contention.

August 18: Mid-Atlantic vs. Northwest

Final Score

Mid-Atlantic (Parsippany, New Jersey) 10 - Northwest (Gresham, Oregon) 4

Record

New Jersey (1-1)

Oregon (0-2)

New Jersey started out hot, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, then stretching that to 5-2 by the end of the second.

Oregon mounted a brief comeback, bringing home two runs in the third. Unfortunately, that was the last time they would cross home plate.

The New Jersey defense was excellent throughout the rest of the game, and their bats continued to be spot on. They scored six more runs during the game, four of which came in the decisive fifth inning.

With the win, New Jersey now advances to face the winner of California vs. Tennessee on Monday. Oregon has been eliminated.

August 18: Mexico vs. MEA

Final Score

Mexico (Nuevo Laredo) 12, MAE (Uganda) 0

Record

Mexico (1-1)

Uganda (0-2)

After ending the first inning tied at zero, Mexico needed just three more innings to have this one end with the mercy rule. 

Joel Turrubiates hit a three-run home run in the second inning and it was all Mexico from there as they added two more jacks and nine more runs to win 12-0. 

Mexico used three pitchers in this game with Felix Diaz getting the win on the strength of his two innings and recording four strike outs without allowing a hit or a run. 

August 18: New England vs. Midwest

Final Score

New England (Fairfield) 12, Midwest (Kearney)  0 

Record

Fairfield (1-1)

Kearney (0-2)

Having both lost their first game, Fairfield rolled over Kearney in a battle to stay alive. This one was stopped after five innings. 

Fairfield starting pitcher Matt Kubel was dominant in this game as he pitched 4.2 innings and allowed just two hits, and it came on a day when they didn't need much from their pitcher. 

The Fairfield bats were rolling, and they were led by Will Lucas who had a home run among his two hits and drove in five. 

Fairfield now awaits the loser of Sunday's Great Lakes-Southwest matchup for a game on Monday at 8 p.m. ET. 

August 18: Curacao vs. Germany

Final Score

Curacao 14, Germany 2

Record:

Germany (0-2)

Curacao (1-1)

Germany was eliminated from contention in a game that was basically over as soon as it started. The Caribbean team jumped on the Europeans early, racking up eight runs in the first inning.

It didn’t get much easier for Germany as Curacao continued to pour it on.

Errors and bad pitching plagued the German kids as Curacao held on to complete a mercy rule, ending the game after just four innings of play (up by 10 runs).

Railison Bentura drove in four runs on two hits and Christopher Koeiman drove in three runs on a first-inning three-run homer.

With this loss, Germany is now eliminated from contention for a championship but will continue to play on Monday. All teams are guaranteed at least three games.

August 16: Japan vs. Caribbean

Final Score

Japan 7, Curacao 0

Record: Japan (1-0), Curacao (0-1)

In the first game of the 2012 Little League World Series, Japan dominated Curacao in a 7-0 victory. Pitching was the story for the Japanese team, even with their strong seven-run output, as Kotaro Kiyomiya and Noriatsu Osaka combined for 14 strikeouts in six innings. 

The bats of Japan came to play, as Osaka went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a double. He was supported by Ryuji Osada, who had a big two-run single. 

Curacao put itself in a hole right out of the gate and wasn't able to do anything to get back into the game. Starting pitcher Christopher Koeiman gave up three runs in each of the first two innings, putting more pressure on an offense that doesn't feature a lot of power. 

Japan will await the winner of the Europe vs. Asia-Pacific game in the winner's bracket, while Curacao will try to redeem itself against the loser of that matchup. 

August 16: West vs. New England

Final Score

Petaluma National (West) 6, Fairfield American (New England) 4

Record

Petaluma National (1-0), Fairfield American (0-1)

In the second game of the day, Petaluma National beat Fairfield American 6-4.

Petaluma's starting pitcher, Bradley Smith, allowed one earned run in four innings while striking out seven to put his team in perfect position to start the tournament on the right foot.

The game was tied at one heading into the top of the third inning when Petaluma scored two runs thanks to some sloppy play by the Fairfield defense.

Fairfield got a run back in the bottom of the fourth on an error by the Petaluma catcher.

Both teams scored two runs in the fifth inning to bring the score to 5-4. Petaluma tacked on an insurance run in the top of the sixth, and Andrew White struck out Matt Clarkin to give his team a win.

August 16: Europe vs. Asia-Pacific

Final Score

Asia-Pacific 14, Europe 1 F/4

Records

Asia Pacific (1-0), Europe (0-1)

Asia-Pacific representative Chinese Taipei took European representative KMC American (Germany) behind the woodshed in Game 3 to the tune of a 14-1 mercy win.

As per the LLWS mercy rule, Chinese Taipei was ruled the winner because they were up by more than 10 runs after the losing team batted in the fourth inning.

After being held scoreless in the first, Chinese Taipei scored three in the second inning, hung a six spot in the third and put an exclamation point on the day with a five-run fourth.

KMC American pitchers walked seven batters on the day. Inaccuracy proved to be the downfall of starter Justin Wilson, who allowed nine earned runs in just 2.1 innings.

Feng Chen and Li-Wei Chiang combined to go 5-for-5 with four runs and seven RBI to lead the team to an opening game win,

August 16: Midwest vs. Southeast

Final Score

Goodlettsville, Tennessee (Southeast) 12, Kearney, Nebraska (Midwest) 1

Record

Goodlettsville (1-0), Kearney (0-1)

In the second blowout of Day 1, Goodlettsville, Tennessee took it to Kearney, Nebraska, winning by a lopsided score of 12-1.

Goodlettsville starting pitcher Brock Myers pitched 4.1 innings of one-hit, eight-strikeout ball, but he had an even better day at the dish. Myers went 3-for-3 with three runs, three RBI and fell just a triple short of the cycle.

The four through eight hitters combined to go 8-for-15 with seven runs and six RBI.

Kearney hung around until the sixth inning when Goodlettsville rattled off seven runs to take an insurmountable 12-0 lead.

August 17: Mexico vs. Canada

Final Score

Canada 13, Mexico 9

Records

Canada (1-0), Mexico (0-1)

Canada started out hot, going up 7-0 before the Mexican team even came up to bat.

Cole Dalla-Zanna, Canada’s starter, had control issues early, allowing two base runners after consecutive walks to begin the game. He settled in after that and escaped, only letting in one run.

That first inning was the end of Dalla-Zanna’s day.

Mexico’s early struggles were erased in a barrage of their own in the second-inning against Canadian reliever Cortez DAlessandro. DAlessandro allowed five runs in an inning and a third pitched.

Eduardo Abrego jacked a three run scorcher over the left-center wall to help pace that seven run second-inning.

Both teams showed some better pitching and glove beyond the second-inning, after the game was locked at 8-8.

In the third, Thomas Neil of Canada made perhaps the catch of the tournament:

               

Some solid pitching by Mexico kept it close until the sixth-inning when Canada added two more insurance runs.

Canada also had some solid pitching of their after that shaky second-inning. Ataru Yamaguchi allowed only one run in four innings of solid relief for the Canadian team.

Mexico threatened in the final frame, putting runners on second and third base but Yamaguchi retired two straight to end their hopes of a comeback.

August 17: Mid-Atlantic vs. Southwest

Final Score

Southwest 5, Mid-Atlantic 2 

Records

Mid-Atlantic (0-1)

Southwest (1-0)

McAllister Park National Little League from San Antonio, TX took an early 4-0 lead after the second inning, and winning pitcher for the Southwest Tyler Vitt secured the lead for the victory.

Jordan Cardenas highlighted the game with a homerun. He also came in to pitch for relief and did not surrender a hit or a run in 2.1 IP.

Emil Matti from Par Troy East Little League in New Jersey was the losing pitcher in the game. He gave up four runs in 3.0 IP. However, only one of those runs were earned as errors around the field cost the Mid-Atlantic team a victory. There were three errors in the game.

In front of 11,100 fans, the Mid-Atlantic team began to feel the pressure of the Little League World Series and surrendered their second loss. They used four pitchers in the loss.

The Southwestern team had stellar relief pitching from Zachary Sanchez and Cardenas, and did not give up a single run after the fourth inning once Tyler Zitt was removed from the game.

August 17: Latin America vs. Middle East-Africa

Final Score

Latin America 9, Middle East-Africa 3

Record

Latin America (1-0)

Middle East-Africa (0-1)

It was Latin America from the start on Friday, as the club scored five runs in the second inning en route to a 9-3 victory.

Middle East-Africa rallied for two runs in the top of the sixth inning, but it ultimately wasn't enough.

James Gonzalez (3-for-4, two runs), Julio Goff (2-for-3, run, RBI) and Jean Sanchez (2-for-2, RBI) played big for Latin America as the team pounded out 12 hits.

Goff, who also happened to be the starting pitcher for Latin America, collected the win, allowing no earned runs in 2.2 innings and striking out seven in the process.

August 17: Great Lakes vs. Northwest

Final Score

Great Lakes 4, Northwest 0

Record

Great Lakes (1-0)

Northwest (0-1)

Great Lakes and Northwest were tied, 0-0, for most of the game on Friday, but Great Lakes opened things up in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring four runs before shutting down Northwest in the top of the sixth.

Great Lakes had one hit coming into the fifth, but rattled off five hits to take command of the game.

Cory Murphy, Bryce Matney, Bryce Huntley, Mason Gillis and Hunter McCubbins all had hits in the fifth inning, with Gillis notching his second hit on a double.

Northwest starting pitcher Greg Mehlhaff was shutting Great Lakes down before ending up with a line of four earned runs in 4.1 innings.

Northwest ended up with two hits in 20 at-bats as Great Lake starting pitcher Cayden Smekens pitched three innings of shutout ball, striking out seven.