Little League World Series: Curaçao shuts out Italy in elimination game

A closer look at the 1-0 Willemstad, Curaçao win over Bologna, Italy on Sunday at Volunteer Stadium.

PLAY OF THE GAME -- Shemar Jacobus sacrifice fly: With the bases loaded in the bottom of the third inning, Curaçao third baseman Shemar Jacobus hit a sacrifice fly. The run he drove in snapped a deadlock that lasted almost midway through the game, and was enough for Willemstad to go the distance.

CURAÇAO PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Jaydion Louisa: Jaydion Louisa was the lone player to come home all game on Jacobus' sacrifice fly. He went 2 for 2 at the plate. Joshua Acosta also recorded a pair of hits, going 2 for 3. Willemstad recorded eight knocks altogether compared to Bologna's three.

ITALY PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Luca Tadei: Bologna's starting pitcher struck out three batters and pitched 2 2/3 innings. He led off the top of the fifth inning with a double and went 1 for 1 at the plate.

BIG INNING -- Bottom of the third inning: The only run scored via sacrifice fly occurred in the bottom of the third inning. The game wasn't quite a pitcher's duel, both teams finding the hits and reaching base all throughout. Curaçao spread the workload between four different pitchers. Italy utilized two on the mound.

BEST EFFORT -- Italy's field prevented the game from getting out of hand in the bottom of the third inning. Jacobus may have put his club on the board with his sacrifice fly, but Curaçao loaded the bases at two different points in the frame. Thomas Giovanardi fanned his batter for the third out to pull out of the jam.

Curaçao once again had runners in scoring position with one out in the following inning. This time, Italy didn't let up and forced a flyout and ground ball to first base to prevent Willemstad from adding to its lead.

FLASHING LEATHER -- Curaçao starting pitcher Reangelo Decaster dialed in and struck out the order in the top of the second inning. In the bottom half, Tadei struck out his first two batters before letting up a double to catcher Jaylliard Emperador.

A groundout erased Emperador to close out the bottom of the second. With five consecutive strikeouts thrown across both sides, the second inning was one full of defense.

WHAT THE ADULTS SAY -- "It was a big run for us because we couldn't hit the ball at the right time. Their pitcher was keeping us off balance, and we scored a run," Curaçao manager Zaino Everett said. "It was a big run."

"It's been just wonderful, really. I think the kids played above expectations. They did a great job, they lost two-nothing against (Chinese) Taipei, they lost one-nothing against Curaçao, two of the strongest teams here," Italy manager Stefano Tamburini said. "We played great. From a mental point of view, they're really, really great. We don't have 78-80 mph pitchers. We have to manage, and they did it great."

WHAT THE KIDS SAY -- "I was very nervous because I knew I needed to throw a good ball game because we lost a game," Decaster said on his start.

"It feels very good. When I got my first hit, I felt confident hitting. Then I got my second hit," Louisa said on his multi-hit performance.

WHAT IT MEANS -- With the loss, Italy has been eliminated from the Little League World Series. Curaçao survives and advances to the next elimination game against the loser between Canada and Mexico at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Volunteer Stadium. Every pitcher for Willemstad will be eligible for the game, though no starter has been named.