Little League World Series 2017: Friday Scores, Bracket Results and Highlights

The 2017 Little League World Series rolled on Friday with the second set of opening-round games from Volunteer Stadium and Howard J. Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Teams from the New England (Fairfield American LL; Connecticut) and Southwest (Lufkin LL; Texas) regions advanced in the United States bracket Thursday. They were joined by International clubs from Latin America (Venezuela) and Canada in Round 2 on the winners' side.

Let's check out the complete group of games for Day 2 of the 71st edition of the LLWS, which will be updated through the conclusion of play. That's followed by a recap of the action. All statistics are courtesy of the tournament's official website.

Friday (Aug. 18) Schedule

United States

Northwest (Walla Walla Valley LL; Washington) 0

West (Santa Margarita LL; California) 9

Southeast (North State LL; North Carolina) 6

Midwest (Sioux Falls LL; South Dakota) 0

International

Australia (Hills Little League; Sydney) 0

Japan (Tokyo Kitasuna LL; Tokyo) 8

Asia-Pacific (West Seoul Little League; South Korea) 10

Caribbean (Los Bravos de Pontezuela LL; Dominican Republic) 1

West 9, Northwest 0

Bobby Gray and Bryan Ramirez combined to throw a one-hit shutout, and Gray's twin brother, Joey Gray, hit a grand slam as California cruised to a memorable victory over Washington.

Gray allowed a hit to Andrew Hall with one out in the sixth inning to break up a potential no-hitter. The starter for Santa Margarita LL would have been forced to leave the mound regardless of the outcome against Hall due to his pitch count. Ramirez came on to secure the final two outs and the win.

Joey Gray drove home five of the team's nine runs. Drew Rutter also enjoyed a strong day at the plate with two hits and a walk, scoring all three times he reached base. Mason Kellerman, Matt Haddad and Garrett Strenger each tallied an RBI for the West.

Caiden Thomsen struck out six batters across four innings for Walla Walla Valley LL, but he just couldn't keep the deep California offense at bay, allowing eight runs in the contest.

Japan 8, Australia 0

Japan scored at least one run in all five of its at-bats, highlighted by a four-run fifth frame to put the game out of reach, to begin its tournament journey on a winning note against Australia.

Eight different members of the Tokyo Kitasuna LL roster recorded a hit, led by Keitaro Miyahara. The leadoff hitter picked up three hits, including a pair of doubles, to set the table for a well-balanced Japanese lineup. Seiya Arai added two hits, while Daisuke Hashimoto crossed the plate twice.

Tsubasa Tomii started for Japan and twirled three scoreless innings before giving way to the bullpen. Riku Goto, Ryuto Konno and Keitaro Miyahara allowed just one hit and one walk with seven strikeouts across the last three innings.

Ethan Treble and Liam Padovan were the only Australian batters to post a hit against the Japanese staff.

Southeast 6, Midwest 0

North State Little League made history Friday night as Chase Anderson, Matthew Matthijs and Carson Hardee combined to throw a perfect game in a 6-0 win over Sioux Falls Little League. 

According to ESPN Stats & Info, it was the first perfect game in LLWS play since Jesus Sauceda of Mexico tossed one in a truncated four-inning effort against Italy nine years ago. It was also the first ever by an American team. 

North Carolina thrived at the plate thanks to the efforts of Drew Fields and Ashton Byars, who plated two runs apiece in the shutout. 

All told, North Carolina piled up eight hits, three of which were doubles, and struck out just twice as a team in an efficient effort. 

Asia-Pacific 10, Caribbean 1

South Korea pushed the Dominican Republic to the brink of elimination in the evening's final game thanks to a stellar offensive display. 

After exiting the first inning tied at one, South Korea posted a three-spot in the third inning and tacked on four more runs in the fourth to create all the breathing room it needed. 

Jinwon Shin starred for the Asia-Pacific representatives as he smacked a pair of home runs and tallied four RBI. 

Leadoff man Yejoon Khym also went yard and matched Shin with three hits. 

By comparison, the Dominican Republic managed two hits as a team. Benny Triunfel recorded a double, while Dariel Salas chimed in with a base hit in the loss.