Little League World Series 2018: Scores, Bracket Results, Thursday Highlights

Thursday marks the final elimination day at the 2018 Little League World Series before the United States and International championship games.

Poor weather in Pennsylvania caused scheduling problems earlier in the week, but things are set up for a memorable weekend of Little League action. There are three games on the docket Thursday, the first a consolation matchup before the two with tournament implications get going in the afternoon.

Here is how things played out on the field at Howard J. Lamade Stadium in Williamsport on Thursday.

Thursday LLWS Results

Game B (Consolation): Idaho def. Spain, 5-0

Game 25: Japan def. Puerto Rico, 1-0

Game 26: Georgia def. New York, 7-3

Georgia 7, New York 3

Georgia advanced to the United States title game for the first time since 2007 with an impressive 7-3 victory over New York. 

This game looked like it was going to be a back-and-forth slugfest in the first inning. New York stormed out of the gate with three runs in the top of the first, capped off by John Calabrese's two-run double.

Georgia starting pitcher Tai Peete settled in after that rough start. The right-hander finished his night by allowing no runs and two hits over his final four innings of work. Ben Traxler came on in the sixth to seal the victory. 

Facing a 3-0 hole after the first half inning, Georgia's offense went to work. That group scored two runs in each of the first three innings, followed by a single run in the fourth to end the scoring barrage.

This win caps off a tremendous run for the Georgia team that has been on the brink of elimination after losing its first game against Hawaii on Aug. 17. They have reeled off three straight wins to set up a rematch with Hawaii on Saturday. 

Georgia is seeking its first U.S. title since 2007 when Warner Robins beat Japan to win the Little League World Series.  

Japan 1, Puerto Rico 0

Japan is headed back to the International championship game for the eighth time in nine years after a tense 1-0 win over Puerto Rico. 

The pitching on both sides was fantastic. Puerto Rico's John Lopez tossed a complete game that included eight strikeouts and one unearned run in defeat. 

Japan had the only extra-base hit of the game when Masaumi Ikeuchi doubled in the top of the third. He would come around to score the only run for either side on an error by Puerto Rico. 

One run turned out to be all the Japanese pitching duo of Masato Igarashi and Shisei Fujimoto needed. Igarashi, who was erratic in his other Little League World Series start with five walks against Panama, was on his game with three hits allowed and five strikeouts in 3.2 innings. 

Fujimoto was perfect in 2.1 innings of relief. The left-hander had four strikeouts and needed just 24 pitches to record seven outs. 

The win earned Japan a matchup with South Korea in Saturday's international final. South Korea is one of two undefeated teams left in Williamsport. 

South Korea defeated Japan 10-0 on Wednesday in a game that went four innings due to the mercy rule. 

Idaho 5, Spain 0

Idaho ended its first trip to the Little League World Series since 1999 on a high note with a 5-0 victory over Spain in a consolation game.

After both teams were held scoreless for three innings, Idaho broke the stalemate in the top of the fourth on back-to-back RBI singles from Austin DeBoer and Caden Symons. Braeden Newby provided extra cushion in the fifth inning with a two-run double.

That was more than enough run support for Idaho's pitching duo of Alexander Currie and Christopher Reynolds. Currie started the game and allowed one hit in 1.2 innings before departing after 37 pitches.

Reynolds, who made his first pitching appearance since Aug. 13, was brilliant in relief. He had six strikeouts and gave up two singles over the final 4.2 innings.

Spain's Juan Salazar had a day to remember by recording all three hits for his team. He finished the tournament with a .400 average and didn't strike out in 10 at-bats.

The win was Idaho's first in Williamsport since Boise beat the team from Brownsburg, Indiana, on August 25, 1999.