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

Saturday marked the first set of elimination games in the 2017 Little League World Series from Howard J. Lamade Stadium and Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Eight teams—four each from the United States and International brackets—battled to remain in title pursuit at the 71st edition of the annual showcase. The clubs in action on Day 3 of the tournament would need to win five straight games in order to qualify for the World Championship next weekend.

Let's check the entire group of games and results from Saturday's play, which will be updated through the conclusion of play. That's followed by a recap of the Little League matchups. All game statistics are courtesy of the event's official website.

Saturday (Aug. 19) Schedule

United States

Mid-Atlantic (Holbrook LL; New Jersey) 15

Great Lakes (Grosse Pointe Woods-Shores LL; Michigan) 5

Northwest (Walla Walla Valley LL; Washington) 4

Midwest (Sioux Falls LL; South Dakota) 3

International

Mexico (Guadalupe Trevino Kelly LL; Reynosa) 13

Europe-Africa (Emilia LL; Italy) 0

Caribbean (Los Bravos de Pontezuela LL; Dominican Republic) 8

Australia (Hills LL; Sydney) 7

Northwest 4, Midwest 3

Washington stormed out to a 3-1 lead after the first inning and held off South Dakota's two-run rally in the sixth for a 4-3 victory. 

Caiden Thomsen was the offensive star for Washington, going 3-for-3 with three RBI. He had a two-run double in the first inning and drove in what turned out to be the winning run with an RBI single in the fifth. 

Four runs would be just enough for Washington starter Andrew Hall. The right-hander tossed a complete game, needing just 86 pitches over six frames to earn the win. 

South Dakota's Marcus Phillips did everything he could to lift his team. He drove in all three runs on two homers, including a two-run shot with one out in the bottom of the sixth. 

Despite the loss, Ethan Bruns was able to throw a complete game of his own. He struck out six with one walk. 

Caribbean 8, Australia 7

Caribbean used a six-run third inning to fend off a late Australia rally for an 8-7 win. 

The Caribbean was able to put up eight runs against Australian pitching, despite having just one extra-base hit. Edward Triunfel hit a solo home run to lead off the top of the fifth inning, extending the lead to 7-2. He was a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI at the plate. 

Jesus Chevalier racked up 90 pitches over 4.1 innings for the Caribbean, though he made it work with nine strikeouts. Dariel Salas made things interesting late, giving up a two-run double to Stephen Courtney on his third pitch and an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth to close the gap to 8-6. 

After Erick Torres allowed another run to score on a wild pitch, Tyler Spiteri grounded into a fielder's choice at third base to end the game. 

The top six hitters in Australia's lineup had at least one hit, including all three of the team's doubles. 

Mexico 13, Europe-Africa 0

Mexico used five pitchers to cover four no-hit innings and the powerful Guadalupe Trevino Kelly lineup scored at least two runs in every frame to knock out Italy via the mercy rule.

Andre Garza, Erick Vazquez and Rosendo Cantu pitched an inning apiece for the Mexican squad before Francisco Elizondo and Carlos Garcia combined to complete the no-hitter in the fourth. The staff as a whole posted eight strikeouts and walked just two batters.

Saul Soto played a key role in pacing the offense for the winning side. He recorded a hit in all four of his at-bats, highlighted by a pair of doubles, with three runs batted in and two runs scored. Garza and Isaac Miranda both slugged home runs for Mexico.

Four players reached base for Emilia. Antonio Casadio and Jacopo Borella got on via walk, Matteo Giovanelli was hit by a pitch, and Cristian Laghi reached on a fielder's choice.

Mid-Atlantic 15, Great Lakes 5

New Jersey used a pair of big offensive innings, scoring five in the second and nine in the fourth, to pull away from a gamely squad from Michigan.

Chris Cartnick put together a performance he may never forget to lead the charge. The Holbrook LL slugger crushed two homers as part of a three-hit, six-RBI day. Ryan Kinsman did his fair share of damage, too. He connected on a couple doubles with three RBI and two runs scored.

Meanwhile, Dean Daddio picked up four key outs for the Mid-Atlantic on the mound. The team's nine-run fourth put them in position to clinch the mercy-rule win in the bottom of the inning and he pitched a clean frame to close it out.

Joey Randazzo hit a solo home run for Grosse Pointe Woods-Shores LL in the loss.