Japan started the Little League World Series on a dominant note Thursday by winning 11-0
ASSOCIATED PRESS Japan’s Kanta Iwashita celebrates as he rounds the bases on his two run home run off of Puerto Rico pitcher Joaxiel Rolon during the third inning at the Little League World Series on Thursday.
ASSOCIATED PRESS Japan’s Taiyo Honryo slides into second base with a stolen base as Puerto Rico’s Derek Garcia fields the throw during the third inning on Thursday.
ASSOCIATED PRESS Japan’s Kanta Iwashita celebrates as he rounds the bases on his two run home run off of Puerto Rico pitcher Joaxiel Rolon during the third inning at the Little League World Series on Thursday.
ASSOCIATED PRESS Japan’s Taiyo Honryo slides into second base with a stolen base as Puerto Rico’s Derek Garcia fields the throw during the third inning on Thursday.
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A closer look at Japan's dominant 11-0 win over Puerto Rico on Thursday at Volunteer Stadium.
PLAY OF THE GAME -- After Japan upped its lead to 2-0, Puerto Rico put itself in a spot to get out of the first inning very much in striking distance. But a wild pitch would allow Japan to make it 3-0 and Japan center fielder hit a double on the same play, briefly providing the offense with another burst of momentum to work with, which it took advantage of by putting another run on the board.
JAPAN PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Pitcher Tanka Iwashita:- Though we've already seen great pitching starts in every international game so far, Tanka Iwashita is the first to be impactful on both sides of the field. Offensively, he logged a soul-crushing two-run shot in the third inning to help Japan further bolster his lead. And from the mound, he allowed just one hit and one walk while attributing eight strikeouts through four innings – closing out the game with just 57 pitches to Puerto Rico's 128.
PUERTO RICO PLAYER OF THE GAME -- First baseman Jonyel Cordero: In game where a lot went wrong for Puerto Rico, first baseman Jonyel Cordero kept it from becoming the third team on the international side of the bracket to land on the receiving end of a no-hitter. In the second inning, he hit a well-placed grounder into left field, briefly providing the team with life.
BIG INNING--In terms of setting the tone, Japan did about as good of a job as it could, taking advantage of a shaky start from the Puerto Rico defense and concluding the first inning with five runs. After getting two runners on base with two walks and acquiring corners thanks to an error, Japan third baseman Taiyo Honryo made strong contact with a pitch and delivered a grounder in between Puerto Rico's shortstop, and second baseman, for a two-RBI single. They'd get another runner on base on the ensuing at-bat, then a double from centerfielder Sho Tanaka and single from Sora Okamoto allowed it to increase its lead to 5-0 before Puerto Rico closed out the inning. Japan would retire the side in the half that followed as well.
BEST EFFORT-- Even with the game well in hand, Japan never stopped putting all its effort into every play. In the bottom of the fourth with the team harboring an 11-0 lead, Puerto Rico's Louis Martin popped a ball up into foul territory, behind the plate to the right. With the ball fixing to land in a tough spot to reach – a decent distance away, Japan catcher Tomoki Watanabe could've just let it drop. But instead, he ran it down and put himself in the perfect spot to secure it – the second-to-last out of the outing.
FLASHING LEATHER--In the top of the fourth, Japan right fielder Tsuyoshi Ito nailed a seam down the left field line that had a great shot to get him on base. But Puerto Rico third baseman showed quick reflexes, getting his glove on the ball to stop its route. That impact bounced the ball into his throwing hand, which he used to get the ball to first for the groundout. That play helped Puerto Rico post its second scoreless inning of the day.
HOME RUNS: With one runner in scoring position the top of the third and his team's lead up to 7-0, Japan starting pitcher Tanka Iwashita put the nail in the coffin for Puerto Rico, launching a bomb over the wall in center field for a two-run shot and coming a few feet away from driving it over centerfield camera platform – the height of its famous hedges. That bomb was the first homer of the 2024 Little League World Series.
WHAT THE ADULTS SAY--"This was the first game, had some passed balls, some errors but we want the kids to enjoy the game," said Puerto Rico manager Francisco García through an interpreter. "The team is going to practice defense, defense was the key."
"We did a good job. It was a good start for our team," said Japan manager Seiichi Fujimoto through an interpreter. "(To keep the strong start going), I want them to hit the ball more."
WHAT THE KIDS SAY--On playing in front of the big crowd: "(It was) so fun," said Japan center fielder Sho Tanaka.
"I (saw) that we could win the game," said third baseman Taiyo Honryo.
"It was a fun game," said pitcher Kanta Iwashita.
WHAT IT MEANS-- With the win, Japan is set to face the winner of Friday's matchup between Mexico and Venezuela, with that matchup taking place at 1 p.m. on Friday at Volunteer Stadium. Puerto Rico gets sent down to the consolations, where it will look to keep its series run alive against Canada at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Volunteer stadium.