Little League World Series 2012: Best Moments from the Thrilling Tournament

The yearly takeover of the sports consciousness by youth baseball concluded Sunday, as Japan took down Tennessee 12-2 in five innings to capture the 2012 Little League World Series championship.

Japan's victory marks just the second championship by an international team in eight years, but it's the second time in three years the island nation has taken home the crown in Williamsport.

Leading the way for the young Japanese team was Noriatsu Osaka, who went 4-for-4 with three home runs, including the blast that finally put away the Goodlettsville, Tenn. crew for good.

But, as is always the case when the 12-year-olds descend upon Williamsport, there were a ton of other moments worthy of recognition.

From big individual performances, to captivating late-inning victories, there is always something noteworthy happening at the Little League World Series.

With that in mind, here's a look at the best moments from a thrilling tournament in Williamsport.

Connecticut's Will Lucas Throws a No-Hitter

The best individual performance from Williamsport came from Fairfield, Conn. pitcher Will Lucas, who shut down his opposition from New Castle, Ind. en route to the 2012 LLWS' only no-hitter.

Not particularly intimidating in comparison to some other kids who made the trip, Lucas still came out throwing pellets, striking out 13 batters and even adding a two-run single in the fifth inning.

That game will undoubtedly be one of the best memories of the young 12-year-old's life, but he was no one-game wonder. Lucas finished the tournament hitting .600 and with a 1.44 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 8.1 innings pitched in Williamsport.

His team wound up getting eliminated by California in the following game, but that individual performance was the best of this year's tournament.

The United States Championship Slugfest

If you miss the home run heavy days of baseball's late 1990s and enjoy the ping of a baseball rocketing off an aluminum bat, there was no better contest in Williamsport than Tennessee's 24-16 victory in seven innings over California.

After squandering a 10-run lead in the bottom of the sixth, the boys from Goodlettsville refused to fold under pressure and dropped nine runs in the top of the seventh inning to put the game away.

Leading the charge was Lorenzo Butler's extraordinary performance, which may be the only one that can hold a candle to Lucas' no-hitter. Butler slugged a LLWS record nine RBI and tied the Williamsport record with three home runs en route to going to the championship game.

Tennessee wound up going home in second place, but there's (obviously) no shame in simply being the best team in the United States.

Japan Wins the Championship 12-2 over Tennessee

It may not have been the most exciting finish to the tournament, but there is no more heartwarming moment in sports than the yearly celebration from the Little League World Series champion.

No matter the levels of disappointment or exhilaration, both squads take the time out to congratulate one another and there's a distinct lack of bitterness—even through the always-awkward stream of tears.

It's cheesy and wholly idealistic, but the LLWS is one of the few wholly "pure" moments we have left in sports.

And no team has ever deserved to be crowned a champion more than this Japan team. The young Japanese kids put on a clinic of youth baseball, allowing just three runs over the duration of its run and becoming the first team in 16 years to win the LLWS by more than 10 runs.

If you appreciate dominant performances, there is no way to squabble with this Japan championship.