Japan vs. Tennessee: US Suffers Emotional Hangover in Little League World Series

History repeats itself.

Japan won seven Little League World Series titles prior to Sunday’s matchup against Tennessee.

The Southeast club, on the other hand, had never been the last team standing. So when the Japanese triumphed by the score of 12-2, it was no surprise.

In its previous four LLWS contests, Japan had surrendered just three total runs. Against a Tennessee team that had just recorded 24 runs in the U.S. Championship against California—the same state that defeated the Japanese last year in the LLWS championship, 2-1—something had to give.

Japan’s pitching staff didn’t give.

But while its rich history was on Japan’s side, the fact that Tennessee had been forced into a slugfest the day before didn’t help the American club’s cause. Going into the bottom of the sixth inning on Saturday with a 15-5 lead, Tennessee looked like it could go into cruise control.

Northern California wouldn’t hear it.

The West team scored a whopping 10 runs to tie up the contest. Tennessee went from having the game locked up to its season being in jeopardy in a half of an inning. While the squad was likely overcome with shock, it rose to the occasion and crossed the plate nine times in the top of the seventh to rebuild its cushion.

According to LittleLeagueWorldSeries.org, George Thompson reported that Southeast Coach Joey Hale said after his club’s victory: “We just went through a roller coaster.”

You can say that again.

Tennessee was set up for a loss against Japan. It completed a seven-inning game which started at 3:30 p.m. EDT the day before. And following a contest full of drama, Tennessee then had to turn around and play again at 3:00 p.m. EDT the next day. 

It didn’t have much hope.

Japan not only had more rest after playing just a six-inning game which began at 12:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday, but its contest didn’t take nearly as much out of the players.

For Tennessee to have upset the Japanese under the given circumstances, it would’ve been a miracle.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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