Cohen Sakamoto struck out seven and Ruston Hiyoto hit a two-run homer for Hawai’i as it completed a dominant run through the U.S. side of the bracket.
Cohen’s stats, like his club’s, have been stellar throughout the 20-team tournament. In 13-plus innings, he has struck out 24 batters, and the two hits he gave up on Saturday were the only ones he allowed the entire tournament. He cannot throw Sunday under pitch-limit rules.
Rijke had robbed Hsu Ta-Sheng of a game-tying home run deep in the sixth inning of the Little League World Series international championship. And it was glorious.
Rijke’s web gem sealed Curacao’s 1-0 victory over Chinese Taipei Saturday afternoon. But it was also the culmination of a day filled with impressive defense by Curacao’s fielders.
There was Alexander Provacia, the diminutive second baseman who showed poise to get out of a bases loaded jam unscathed in the first inning.
“I didn’t feel any pressure because I knew I had a great defense behind me,” Cohen said. “Even if I didn’t, I knew someone was going to pick me up.”
Curaçao responded with a two-out, two-run rally in the fifth. Reangelo Decaster got on board with a one-out single between a pair of strikeouts. With two out, Davey-Jay Rijke hit a single and advanced to second on a throw to third.
Jaydion Louisa then hit a single that scored Decaster. However, a throw attempt to get Louisa out at second ended up in the outfield, and Rijke scored the game-winning run.
Mexico got a runner on second with one out in the top of the sixth after a walk and a sacrifice bunt, but a pair of Wiel strikeouts ended the game.
This game served as one of the best and most well-played matchups of the tournament. Only one error was committed, and the two pitchers combined for just one walk apiece.
Zarate ended the day with eight strikeouts and two runs allowed (one earned) while scattering four hits over five frames.
His team from Honolulu, representing the West region, has now outscored its opponents 47-2.
“Hats off to Cohen for buckling down when we really needed to buckle down,” Hawai’i manager Gerald Oda said.
The possibility of releasing Discord for PlayStation 5 in the coming months