Little League World Series 2013 Scores: Day 7 Results, Analysis and Recap

In the rapidly progressing Little League World Series, Day 7 already presents us with the final in the winner's bracket of both the United States and International pools. 

On the International side, Mexico and Japan will do battle. For the United States pool, New England and the West will try to stay unblemished. 

While the losers of these games will exit with their championship hopes still in tact, it will be a far harder path than the one facing the victorious team. 

After beating Asia-Pacific on Tuesday, Latin America awaits the loser of Mexico-Japan contest. Meanwhile, the Northwest took down the Southeast on Tuesday and now will take on the loser of the New England-West matchup. 

Those contests are scheduled for Thursday, and Friday will be a day of rest.

That leaves the championship for both pools to be played on Saturday, and the ultimate game, the Little League World Series, for Sunday. 

Obviously, the winners of Wednesday's action will be in the driver's seat with the extra rest. Find out who those winners are as we update this article when the games complete.   

All results and stats via LittleLeague.org.

This Instagram is from Tuesday evening, but it is sublime enough to get into Wednesday's recap: 

Day 7 Scores and Recap 

Japan 5, Mexico 2

This game promised to be thrilling and it did not disappoint. It featured the defending champs, Japan, and the talk of this tournament, Mexico. 

The buzz around the kids from Tijuana has been well-earned. In their first two games in this tournament, they had won by a combined score of 25-0. 

However, facing the quality of Japan's pitching always was bound to be a tougher task, and it proved to be just that, as the mighty bats of Mexico produced only two runs.

Playing as the away team, Mexico jumped out in front in the second when Jorge Rodriguez doubled down the left-field line to plate the game's first run. However, Japan answered back in the bottom of the inning to tie it at one.

Mexico tacked on another in the third inning, off a home run from Brandon Montes to take a 2-1 lead, which held until the bottom of the fourth. Japan managed to even the score in that frame and then took control in the fifth. 

Kazuki Ishida blasted one over the wall in center to give Japan the lead and pave the way for the 5-2 victory. 

Kazuki Ishida and Ryutarro Takeo each pitched three innings for Japan, and both pitchers wracked up four strikeouts in the impressive performance against Mexico's explosive offense. 

While the loss was a big blow to Mexico, the Los Angeles Dodgers Adrian Gonzalez and all other fans of this team can still keep hope alive. 

The win allows Japan some time off while they wait for Mexico and Latin America to do battle in the losers bracket on Thursday. Japan will play the winner of that game on Saturday.

West 6, New England 3

In our second of two games, Chula Vista, California represented the West Region in an instant classic against Westport, Connecticut of New England. It took nine full innings to determine a winner in this one, as neither team wanted to miss out on the opportunity to play in the U.S. Championship Game.

In the end, it was Chula Vista that won 6-3.

It was no surprise who stepped up, as Grant Holman hit the game-winning three-run home run to push Chula Vista through to the next round. This comes after Holman pitched an extra innings no-hitter in his Little League World Series debut and clobbered a walk-off Grand Slam in his second game.

Did we mention that he's 6'4"?

Not only has he been the Little League World Series' most clutch hitter, but he's also the most dominant pitcher.

It's time to drop the name "Grant Holman" and replace it with, "MVP."

On top of hitting the game-winner, Holman pitched 3.2 innings of strong work in relief. With Nick Mora hitting two solo home runs, the California crew had just enough to knock off a ferocious New England challenger.

A team that has nothing to hang their heads about.

Matt Brown hit a three-run homer during the fourth inning, providing the run support that New England needed early on. Chad Knight and Alex Keiner combined to pitch 8.0 innings of relief, as well, helping New England keep the West region at bay.

In the end, it just wasn't enough.

Chula Vista has now clinched their berth in the U.S. Championship Game. They'll play either Sammamish, Washington or Westport, Connecticut, who meet on Thursday, Aug. 22.