Nicaragua bookends Little League World Series run in loss to Curaçao

Nicaragua's third-ever appearance in the Little League World Series looked to be short and not so sweet.

The very first international game of the 2022 tournament saw Managua's squad shut out, 2-0 in a two-hitter by Curaçao. It was 14 de Septiembre's first game in South Williamsport and it didn't exactly go as planned.

"The team was losing its confidence and themselves. I said, 'We can win this, so let's play hard and try to win this game.' The kids said, 'Really? We can win this? We can be champions?' I said, 'Yes. We can do it.' That's the way we've continued during this tournament," Nicaragua manager Marlon Chávez said.

Everything changed for Nicaragua following its immediate fall to the elimination bracket. Managua rebounded in a pitcher's duel against Puerto Rico, 3-1 before walking off, 8-7 against a loaded Japan team.

Against Panama on Tuesday, 14 de Septiembre made a statement via an 8-1 win fueled by eight hits. Since its first game against Curaçao, the wins have kept coming and the confidence has been growing with each advancement.

"The motivation they received from the coaches, motivation they received from Nicaragua's people who live here in the States that are following the team here, this country is behind them," Chávez said. "They are playing for their country. When they lost the first game against Curaçao, they were crying in the dorm, thinking they were eliminated."

They were anything but. Ahead of its rematch against Willemstad, 14 de Septiembre won more than any other Nicaragua team in the tournament's history. Chinandega is the only other Nicaragua team to represent the country, having done so twice with a combined 2-3 record and a third-place finish in the 1970 Little League World Series.

One of the two team interpreters reminded the players after their initial loss they weren't eliminated. They needed to win more games, extend their stay to have a crack at the championship.

Nicaragua has even drawn support from fans in the United States who've made the trips to Volunteer Stadium, rooting for the little club that could.

Per ESPN, only one parent of Nicaragua's team was able to make the trip to South Williamsport due to travel and visa issues and the Nicaraguan American community of at least six different states have shown up to the Little League World Series to support Managua.

"We're very glad to have those people here supporting us," Luis García said following Nicaragua’s game against Panama. "They were shouting, 'Hey! Strike out the guy! Strike out the guy!' so that was very special. That was a very motivational moment for us."

García recorded a three run homer in Nicaragua's win over Panama. Johan Saravia went 4 for 4 with an RBI and a pair of runs scored, and struck out six with no hits or runs allowed in three innings on the mound.

The entire lineup has had its moments. Dereck Alonzo had two RBIs and struck out 11 against Puerto Rico. In an 11-inning marathon against Japan, García and Gabriel Gutierrez both threw 73 and 74 pitches respectively, holding Takarazuka at bay.

Alonzo pulled Nicaragua from the jaws of defeat with a three-run shot in the sixth inning to tie Japan, 4-4 to keep the club alive. Nicaragua has never won as many games in one run at the Little League World Series as 14 de Septiembre has in its first stay in South Williamsport, and each one has been a gift after the initial loss to Curaçao.

"Every time they have a game, they have to thank God for what they do during the game," Chávez said. "That's the motivation we have for the kids. Knowing they have another game and God will be with them."

In 14 de Septiembre's rematch against Willemstad, Nicaragua was handed its second loss by Curaçao, bookending its run at the hands of the Caribbean regional champion.