PLAY OF THE GAME — Mexico shortstop and relief pitcher Antonio Guerrero smacking a three-run home run over the left field fence at Volunteer Stadium with Cuba leading 4-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Guerrero’s home run was a game changer–it gave Mexico the momentum it needed but Guerrerro was the right player to capitalize in such a pivotal moment. His three-run shot sparked a walk by center fielder Raul Hernandez Jr, who was hit by a pitch that led to catcher Ulises Ortiz hitting a two-run shot just a bit more to the left than Guerrero’s was to ice the game for Mexico to stay in the tournament.

MEXICO PLAYER OF THE GAME — Antonio Guerrero: He tossed a mean three strikeouts in the sixth inning and warmed up his arm enough in the fifth to help Mexico, who was stagnant to that point, pick up some momentum.

CUBA PLAYER OF THE GAME –Deivy Hernandez: If it wasn’t for Mexico taking over late, Hernandez would be considered the hero. The score may not have reflected it but Cuba wasn’t scoring runs so easily. It chipped away and, in similar fashion to Mexico’s gameplan, played strong defensively. It played strong enough defensively that it didn’t have to score and Hernandez’s work on the mound and his defense behind him kept most hits in the infield.

BIG INNING– Mexico’s sixth: One could argue that the top of the sixth is more pivotal than the bottom because the top is what led to the sparks of the home run in the bottom half. Guerrero struck out three of the four batters he faced to close the top of the sixth inning on Tuesday.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Mexico's Antonio Guerreo rounds third after he hit a game winning home run during a Little League World Series game against Cuba at Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Mexico won 6-4.

BEST EFFORT– Mexico clearly stole the show with its bottom of the sixth inning thunder but Cuba’s five-and-a-half innings of performance on the mound was critical to keep Mexico’s offense minimal. Cuba pitcher Deivy Hernandez pitched all six innings and almost stole the show for he and Santa Clara Little League with a complete game.

He gave up just six hits and only four came in the first five innings.

Hernandez also repeatedly left Mexico players on base and his defense backed him up well throughout the duration of the game leading up to the final half inning.

FLASHING LEATHER– Mexico shortstop Antionio Guerrero made a stop on a ball that hopped on the infield turf and hit the dirt before he could backhand it and get it over to first baseman Dominic Balderas in time. It was a critical play just as much as a special one to get the second of three outs to get out of the top of the third inning, down 2-0 in a game where its defense wasn’t performing at its best.

That play preceded a colliding play in centerfield by Raul Hernandez and right fielder Santiago Sotelo, who were both going for the same fly ball to get the third out. Santiago got the out but the two ran into each other, with no injuries by either player.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Mexico's shortstop Antonio Guerrero fields a ball hit off the bat of Cuba's Brayan Perez during a Little League World Series game at Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Mexico won 6-4.

HOME RUNS: Mexico’s Antonio Guerrero and Ulises Ortiz are Matamoros Little League’s lifesavers. Guerrero blasted a three-run shot which tied the game and at least promised Little League fans extra baseball in a game that was honestly dull for the most part up until the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

Ortiz’s homer put the icing on the cake with a two-run shot. Mexico continues to prove its not only dangerous defensively with the right pitchers, but it can make timely plays when it has to.

WHAT THE ADULTS SAY– “Thanks to Little League for everything that they’ve been given during these days,” Cuba manager Everaldo Machado said through an interpreter. “These kids are taking back a lot of good memories. Right now they’re pretty down, he wants to get the team back up here and he appreciates everything that’s been done. Congratulations to the team from Mexico, great game.”

“That was the key. It was to keep the game closer and not let them (Cuba) get any more runs,” Mexico manager Jorge Villafranca said via the team’s translator.

WHAT THE KIDS SAY– “I’m very excited because I was the one who hit the home run to tie the game,” Guerrero said through a translator.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Cuba's Darian Rodriguez watches the ball drop over the fence after Mexico's Antonio Guerrero hit the game winning home run during a Little League World Series game at Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Mexico won 6-4.

“We knew before the inning started that we wanted to win. This is an emotion that I can’t explain,” Guerrero added.

“He was very excited, he has no words to explain it,” Mexico’s translator said Ulises Ortiz said about his walk-off homerun.

WHAT IT MEANS– Mexico, who is moving on in unbelievable and incredible fashion, will take on Venezuela next. Venezuela, who defeated Mexico in a 10-0 shutout, defeated Aruba in a tight game that ended in walk-off walking fashion. Cuba, who finished the tournament 1-2 overall, is eliminated after matching its record from its previous appearance at the World Series.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Denis Zamora throws for Cuba during a Little League World Series game against Mexico at Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Mexico won 6-4.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Mexico's second baseman Gerardo Cisneros makes a play on Cuba's Alain Cardenas during a Little League World Series game at Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Mexico won 6-4.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Deivy Hernandez tips his hat to the fans as he leaves the mound for Cuba during a Little League World Series game against Mexico at Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Mexico won 6-4.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Deivy Hernandez throws for Cuba during a Little League World Series game against Mexico at Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Mexico won 6-4.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Cuba's Leonardo Junco (16) reacts at the conclusion of a Little League World Series game at Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Mexico won 6-4.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Mexico players console Cuba's Leonardo Junco (16) at the conclusion of a Little League World Series game at Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Mexico won 6-4.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Cuba's Leonardo Junco grimaces after being hit by a pitch during a Little League World Series game against Mexico at Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Mexico won 6-4.