PLAY OF THE GAME — Jay-Dlynn Wiel two RBI double: Already up four runs, Curaçao’s shortstop doubled on a fly ball to center, driving in a pair of runs to take a commanding 7-1 lead. While advancing to third on the play, he was ruled out at the bag, but not before both runs were registered.

CURAÇAO PLAYER OF THE GAME — Davey-Jay Rijke: Davey-Jay Rijke was a force to be reckoned with on the mound. Rijke pitched a complete game, striking out his final batter of the day having reached the count and finishing with 88 throws.

Rijke struck out 15 with no walks. At the plate, he went 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Curaçao recorded seven hits altogether to Nicaragua’s four.

NICARAGUA PLAYER OF THE GAME — Diego Gonsález: Diego Gonsález put Nicaragua on the board in the bottom of the second inning by singling on a ground ball, driving in Marlon Chávez on the play. He went 1 for 2 with his RBI.

BIG INNING — With two runners on and two outs in the top of the second inning, Rijke belted one to center for an RBI double. Deshawn Bonafasia then hit a line drive to center to drive in Rijke and the lead runner, prompting the second pitching change for Nicaragua.

The three RBIs from Curaçao’s lineup broke the game open, giving Willemstad a 5-0 lead before Managua’s second at-bat.

BEST EFFORT — Curaçao dealt damage in more ways than one in the first inning. With one out, three straight walks loaded the bases in the top half. Willemstad cashed in, bringing in a pair of runs on an error and passed ball.

Curaçao’s order drove up starting pitcher Gonzalo López’s count to 28. In the bottom, Rijke struck out the side and ended the frame with 14 pitches. Nicaragua made its first pitching change in the second inning.

In the face of elimination, Nicaragua shortstop Luis García led off the final frame with a solo home run over the right wall.

FLASHING LEATHER — Rijke made sure to halt any momentum Nicarauga was cooking up. Managua scored its run and held Willemstad to a scoreless frame after, but Curaçao’s ace returned the favor. In the bottom of the third inning, Rijke struck out the order and by that point in the game, only three Managua players had reached base.

WHAT THE ADULTS SAY — “I’m very emotional right now,” Curaçao manager Zaino Everett said. “Davey-jay, my ace, I just believe in him. The Latin America guys are a good team, that’s why I went with him today. He has to just throw strikes and live another day.”

On using up Rijke’s availability in the game, Everett added, “We have to win this game.”

Nicaragua manager Marlon Chávez declined invitation to the postgame press conference.

WHAT THE KIDS SAY — “It means a lot to me and I know I can pitch all the way,” Rijke said on the complete game.

WHAT IT MEANS — With the loss, Nicaragua has been eliminated from the Little League World Series. Curaçao will play an elimination game against Mexico at 3 p.m. Thursday at Lamade Stadium for a bid to the International Championship.