Little League World Series 2015: Championship Highlights, Final Bracket Review

When powerful Red Land of Pennsylvania lit up the scoreboard with 10 runs in the bottom of the first inning, it looked a U.S. representative was on its way to its first Little League World Series championship since 2011.

However, a resilient Japanese team would have none of that script. Despite falling into a huge hole early in the game, Japan bounced back and shocked Red Land with an 18-11 come-from-behind triumph in the highest scoring Little League World Series championship game.

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Tokyo overcomes 8-run deficit to beat Lewisberry for #LLWS title http://t.co/Tsg63UyBxN pic.twitter.com/mBtXrw1oyL

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 30, 2015"

Japan has now captured 10 Little League World Series championships, and this is the third won by Tokyo Kitasuna. 

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World Champions! Japan defeats Pennsylvania, 18-11, to win the #LLWS. Japan has now won 5 of the last 7 years. pic.twitter.com/Lrpy4DJ443

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 30, 2015"

Japan banged out 22 hits in the victory, and while there were a multitude of heroes, it's hard not to take note of Shingo Tomita, who belted a pair of home runs in the second and third innings.

Masafuji Nishijima also had a huge day for the Tokyo-based team with four hits and six RBI.

International Bracket
U.S. Bracket	Record
Team	Record
Japan	5-0*
Mexico	4-3
Chinese Taipei	2-2
Venezuela	2-2
Australia	1-2
Dominican Republic	1-2
Uganda	1-2
Canada	0-3
Team	Team
Red Land, PA	4-1
Pearland West, TX	4-2
Sweetwater Valley, CA	3-2
Bowling Green, KY	2-2
Webb City, MO	1-2
Cranston Western, RI	1-2
Northwood, SC	1-2
Wilshire-Riverside, OR	0-3

Japan appeared to be in big trouble as starting pitcher Daiki Fukuyama gave up five runs without recording an out and had to be relieved. The Americans added five more runs, but when Nobuyuki Kawashima was summoned to the mound, the game changed dramatically. The left-hander used an array of off-speed pitches to keep the Red Land hitters off balance. 

Kawashima allowed just one run over five innings. He struck out four batters, walked just one and gave up only two hits.

In addition to Shingo Tomita's two home runs, his twin brother Kengo Tomita, Yugo Aoki and Nishijima also homered for the Japanese team.

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VIDEO: Japan beats Pennsylvania in record-setting #LLWS Title Game: http://t.co/ReMkBggIwr

— Paul Bacon (@PaulBacon30) August 30, 2015"

Red Land had surged to the lead with an impressive first inning. Chayton Krauss and Ethan Phillips had RBI singles before a bases-loaded walk brought in a third run. Dylan Rodenhaber followed with an opposite-field grand slam, and Jaden Henline concluded the rally with a three-run homer.

While more than 42,000 fans jammed Lamade Stadium and the hill beyond the outfield fences, the U.S. fans were disappointed once again. The last time American teams were stopped in four consecutive championship games came in an international run from 1994 through 1997.