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A three-run inning helped Venezuela defeat Japan and reach the International final

By HENRY HUBER 4 min read

Past the midway point of a neck-and-neck defensive duel, Venezuela eyed the return of its top of the order to the plate.

Through its first rotation through the lineup, it had managed just one hit through three innings, as Japan's defense continued to display its strength. But just as it seemed like it would log a full rotation without a run, it got a spark from the bottom of its lineup.

Jonathan Landaeta reached on a throwing error off a bunt. Then, its last batter, right fielder Beiker Zarraga stepped up to the plate. With one series hit to his name, he first tried to bunt like Landaeta, with that attempt landing in foul territory.

Then, he swung for the fences.

Though his leftfield ball fell just short of going over the wall, it was enough to get Landaeta home and himself to third. With the top of the order on deck and one out on the board, they'd put up two more runs before Japan could close out the inning.

That hit came on his mother's birthday, which made it extra special.

"I came up to bat very focused," said Zarraga through an interpreter. "Got ready to hit the ball and got a good one in for the triple."

"We thank God for that," said Luis Yepez through an interpreter, who followed up Zarraga's triple with one of his own. "It was a very important hit in the game, and I was proud of that."

Even with Japan posting a similar offensive effort in the ensuing half, that three-run effort proved enough for Venezuela to keep its Little League World Series alive, as it defeated Japan, 3-2.

"I'm very happy. I'm very proud," said Venezuela manager Domingo Carrasquel through an interpreter on the win. "I'm proud for Venezuela, for Barquisimeto and for the kids. I'm just so happy to be playing on Saturday in the International Championship game."

Despite kicking things off with three straight scoreless innings defensively, Venezuela's most notable defensive stand came in the aforementioned bottom of the fourth. After working starting pitcher Diego Biarreta's pitch count up near 70 through three innings, Japan got the better of him in the fourth, loading the bases without attributing an out.

Reliable reliever Jhonson Freitez approached the mound in a dire situation. But even with Japan's Taiyo Honryo fighting for a walk to make it 3-1 and Kanata Furuyama notching a single to decrease his team's deficit to one, Freitez struck out two and Samuel Carrasquel made a diving catch on a deep liner to center to maintain the team's lead.

"I came out there to do a job, to throw strikes," said Freitez through an interpreter on his mindset entering the game. "And I did that job. Thank God for that."

From there, it was just about maintaining that slightest of cushions.

After escaping that hole in the fourth inning, Freitez came out confident in the fifth and his play reflected that.

On the opening at-bat there, he'd receive an infield grounder in stride to make the play at first before catching Sora Okamoto swinging for his third strikeout of the outing. Then, an infield popup fell right above him, which he effectively fielded to close the inning.

He and his field would have to escape one more hole in the sixth, as Japan put runners on third and second and the winning run in scoring position with its lineup set to reset.

But his field had his back, with shortstop Luis Yepez throwing Japan's Kota Fukijura out at home just before he got safe and Freitez forcing a popout to right field on the next at-bat, which landed in Beiker Zarraga's glove. That popout would seal the game, as Venezuela prevented the comeback.

"They were so focused on the game, executed the game very well and didn't make mistakes down the stretch," said Carrasquel when asked about those holds in the fourth and sixth. "I feel so very proud of the boys. They played a great game."

They managed to do that despite an excellent game from Japan starting pitcher Taiyo Honryo, who pitched a complete game, struck out six batters and allowed just four hits and zero walks.

It took a complete effort, with multiple clutch moments and instances in which they made the most of their opportunities. With the win, Venezuela will play in its first international final since 2000.

"We're very happy," expressed Carrasquel. "We hope we can finish the job for Venezuela."

They're set to take on Chinese Taipei in hopes of advancing to the World Championship on Sunday. That matchup will take place at 12:30 p.m. at Lamade Stadium on Saturday.

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