Little League World Series 2012 Results: Best Games from Williamsport Thus Far

Even though the 2012 Little League World Series started just last Thursday, the tournament's 10-day window already puts us past the halfway mark in Williamsport.

And, as is the case every year at the LLWS, there have been some breathtaking moments and thrilling contests so far.

With the young players wearing every emotion on their sleeve and playing every game like it's their last (and sometimes it is), you can feel the palpable tension in almost every inning.

While it may seem unfair to put the raw emotions of 12-year-olds on display for the masses, it's led to captivating entertainment and beautiful competition once again in Williamsport.

Here's a look at some of the best games so far from the 2012 LLWS:

Japan 2, Chinese Taipei 0 (Sunday, Aug. 19)

In easily the most thrilling contest so far in Williamsport, Japan kept its undefeated dream alive and beat Chinese Taipei 2-0 on a ninth-inning walk-off home run from Hajime Motegi.

The pitching duel saw neither team bend on the defensive end and go nearly three extra innings of scoreless ball—an anomaly at this level of competition.

Motegi's extra-inning bomb to center ended that scoreless streak and provided one of the more touching moments of this LLWS: the young hero jumping into a coach's arms before even crossing home plate.

The victory for Japan sends the yearly favorite into a matchup against Panama for a spot in the international championship game while Chinese Taipei went on to get eliminated by Mexico. 

Tennessee 9, California 6 (Sunday, Aug. 19)

Sunday was seemingly a day full of exhilarating finishes as just hours before the Japanese triumph, a two-run blast from Goodlettsville, Tenn. slugger Brock Myers clinched a vital victory for this year's Southeast representative.

Going into the sixth inning tied 5-5, the kids from Tennessee came up to the plate slugging, scoring four runs in the inning en route to what many called an upset.

The Californian squad came into Williamsport with a pitching well so deep that it seemed impossible for the Goodlettsville team to come out on top if the game went extras.

Thanks to Myers' timely blast and some clutch pinch-hitting from Jayson Brown, Tennessee didn't have to worry about that and will face Texas on Wednesday to advance to the United States championship game.

Connecticut 4, Indiana 0 (Monday, Aug. 20)

Besides the championship game, this Connecticut victory will likely be the most memorable game in Williamsport and one that young star Will Lucas will remember for the rest of his life.

Facing a strong New Castle, Ind. squad, Lucas came out of the gate with his right arm seemingly firing pellets, striking out 13 batters en route to the first no-hitter of the 2012 LLWS.

As with most young Little League stars, Lucas isn't just a star pitcher. His two-run single in the fifth inning gave the youngster necessary breathing room to complete his magical performance.

Lucas' no-hitter saved the Fairfield, Conn. bunch from elimination and sets up a rematch with California, who beat the Mid-Atlantic representatives 6-4 in an opening-game thriller.

While he'll be unable to pitch, the 12-year-old fireballer will walk out of Williamsport with one of the best memories of his young life and one of the best performances in this Little League World Series.