“It’s a special game, they showed their heart in the way that they had to, to win a game like this. They played a great game but they fought it out and won today” Venezuela manger Domingo Carrasquel stated through an interpreter.

With that win Venezuela will advance to play either Cuba or Mexico in another win-or-go-home contest, while Aruba’s run at the Little League World Series is over.

It was Aruba all the way until the sixth inning when Venezuela came alive both defensively and offensively. With relief pitcher Jose Perez coming into the game during the fourth inning, he was able to match the speed and consistency of the starting pitcher Willian’s Mora, who had six strikeouts in the first three innings of the game. Perez was able to retire the batters in order to and was able to record the last two outs of the inning with a diving catch off the mound and a strikeout.

The bottom of the sixth inning was crunch time for Venezuela with Jonathan Lancastea due up to bat, who was able to reach base on a bunt to the pitcher. From there the next thre batters were able to reach base on bunts as well with the defense able to get Simon Vicheria out at second on a fielder choice play.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Latin America's Jhonson Freitez (21) celebrates a walk in the sixth that advanced the winning run during a Little League World Series game against Caribbean at Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Latin America won 2-1.

That fielder’s choice would leave runners on the corners.

Luis Yepez reach base on the next at bat due to being hit by a pitch to load the bases. During the next at bat there was a wild pitch that Lancastea was able to score on tie the game at one a piece.

“It’s a special game, they showed their heart in the way that they had to, to win a game like this. They played a great game but they fought it out and won today,” Carrasquel said.

Jhonson Freitez would end up having the play of the game.

Freitez was able to battle through the at bat to bring the count to 3 and 2, after a 10 pitch at bat Freitez was able to draw ball four that walked in the winning run and became the hero and player of the game securing the win.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Latin America's Jhonson Freitez (21) celebrates a walk in the sixth that advanced the winning run during a Little League World Series game against Caribbean at Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Latin America won 2-1.

“In Venezuela, we had a couple of close games like that and they got out winners in those games also.” Domingos commented. “I told them to be calm and take it one a bat at a time and to believe in yourself and that I believe in you and they did.”

“I just focused and concentrated a waited for my pitch and it came in the form of a walk,” Jhonson Freitez commented on his game-winning at bat.

Aruba’s only run came in the first inning when Izaak Martina crossed home plate. Martina was the lead off batter and was able to reach base on a walk. From there, Martina rounded the bases on two fielder’s choices and crossed home on an RBI single from Henry Kransen who hit a line drive out the center field.

Initially it was called out but upon review the catch was ruled dropped which resulted in the run. After that Aruba’s player of the game Starting pitcher Naivmar Angela was able to hold off Venezuela’s offense for the first three and a half innings of the game.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Latin America's Beiker Zarraga escapes a tag by Caribbean's Henry Kransen after hitting a bunt during a Little League World Series game at Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Latin America won 2-1.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Naivmar Angela tips his hat as he leaves the mound for Caribbean during a Little League World Series game against Latin America at Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Latin America won 2-1.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Naivmar Angela throws for Caribbean during a Little League World Series game against Latin America at Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Latin America won 2-1.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Caribbean pitcher Naivmar Angela fields a bunt off the bat of Simon Vicheria but can't make the play during a Little League World Series game at Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Latin America won 2-1.