Then it set in for Arendsz and his team. They had a chance to do something this summer that they didn’t envision. After bating Japan in an elimination game to reach the losers’ bracket final, Arendsz told his team it was time they could dream about what they could accomplish.

What is that dream? Playing on Sunday and possibly winning the Little League World Series championship game.

Aruba knows that it won’t be an easy battle on Saturday, however, in the International championship game against a perennial power such as Chinese Taipei. That International showdown — a rematch from earlier in the tournament and the only loss Aruba has suffered since arriving in South Williamsport — is set for 12:30 p.m. at Lamade Stadium on Saturday.

Aruba learned some things not just about themselves, but about Chinese Taipei in that first meeting on Monday in which the Asia-Pacific Regional champions won, 4-0.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Asia-Pacific's Chen Qi-Sheng beats the tag at third base from Asia-Pacific third baseman Liam Pena Caraballo on a passed pitch in the fourth inning.

“We learned a lot,” Arendsz said after beating Venezuela, 3-1, on Thursday in the losers’ bracket final. “They play so fast. These kids, we play more of a Latin American system with power, they don’t move so fast. I learned a lot from Chiense Taipei in that first meeting. Learned a lot from Japan (too).”

Aruba made history this summer by becoming the first team from the small-island nation to ever win more than two games at a single Little League World Series tournament and is currently 4-1 and is on the cusp of being the first Aruba team to ever reach a Little League World Series championship game. Today’s International final is the first time Aruba will ever be in the International championship game as well.

It’s been a road for Arendsz and his Aruba Little Leaguers and one they’re still somewhat surprised by.

“It’s long and special. We’ve been on the road for awhile, people ask me how I feel and I can’t put it into words,” Arendsz said. “I’ve never been so deep in the World Series tournament. Everything that comes now is new. It’s amazing. They kids are having a lot of fun, that’s very important to me.

“They’re also learning a lot, so it’s a nice learning experience for them when they get a strikeout, I say be thankful, don’t get mad. Maybe next time you’ll get a hit,” Arendsz continued.

Saturday’s International championship can be somewhat seen as a David vs. Goliath meeting.

Aruba has only been to the Little League World Series three times (2025, 2024 and 2011). This is the first time Aruba ever won three or more games in a single tournament.

Chinese Taipei on the other hand, is one of the best Little League Baseball regions in the world. The Asia-Pacific Regional champions are playing in their fourth consecutive International championship game, and reached last year’s World Series final. The country has also won 17 Little League World Series titles in its long, storied history in South Williamsport.

“I have to dig inside myself and see what I can pull out. The good thing is we already played them. Imagine going into the final and not playing them? The name alone, the kids watch YouTube videos, they know their history. They won it 17 times. It has an aura around it, but it’s momentum going on with Team Caribbean,” Arendsz said. “I feel a good vibe, these kids vibe together and spend their days dancing and making music. They’re enjoying themselves. I only feel good things.”

For Chinese Taipei, manager Lai Min-Nan is more than aware how long it has been since his country has won the Little League World Series championship. He joked after beating Venezuela that it’s ingrained in him.

Twenty-nine years.

That’s the last time Chinese Taipei players were able to run around the outfield of Lamade Stadium with a banner that said Little League World Series champions. The team has had its chances since that title in span since 1996, including the last four years reaching the International title game and competing for the championship in 2024.

“Four times we were able to get into the International final and I have a high standard because I want to make sure I can reach (a level) as good as before,” Min-Nan said. “Every team has to do better than the last team, so last year we almost got it except one bunt. Hopefully this year, the outcome will be better. That has been in my mind ever since I came over here.”

Min-Nan’s Little Leaguers have been outstanding in South Williamsport. Chinese Taipei enters Saturday’s International final with a perfect 4-0 record with wins against Mexico (3-0), Aruba (4-0) and Venezuela (7-3), three talented opponents.

The three runs Venezuela scored against the Asia-Pacific Regional champions was also the first time Chinese Taipei allowed three runs in a game in 10 years.

Chinese Taipei has a talented pitching staff and ace Lin Chin-Tse could earn the start. The hard-throwing pitcher threw 49 pitches against Venezuela on Wednesday before exiting the game with a blister on his finger. But Chin-Tse is just one of a number of talented pitchers the Asia-Pacific Regional champions have to throw.

“When we get to Saturday, we have all of our pitching staff available and I’ll check with Lin how his finger and arm feels,” Min-Nan said. “It’s not necessary to have him, but it’s nic to have a strong pitcher to stand by. We also have Liu (Wei-Hung), a lefty who’s a good pitcher. So I’m going to optimize the pitching staff. It all depends on the morning how we feel and who to start.”

While Chinese Taipei blanked Aruba, 4-0, in their meeting this summer, Chinese Taipei only out-hit the Caribbean Regional champions 4-3. And both Arendsz and Min-Nan know their opposition is talented and can hit throughout the order.

Chinese Taipei has five players who recorded two hits through three games played in Lin Chin-Tse (2 for 4, home run, RBI), Tsai Yu-Ge (3 for 7, RBI), Chen Qi-Sheng (3 for 3, three RBIs), Chang Chun-Po (2 for 2, double) and Chen Yi-Reng (2 for 2). And of Chinese Taipei’s 13 batters in the lineup, all have recorded at least one hit. Chinese Taipei’s interpreter also noted that all 13 are capable of hitting home runs.

Aruba has a potent lineup as well that can hit the ball very effectively and spark rallies.

Diliano Raven has been outstanding in South Williamsport. The second baseman is 6 for 10 with two doubles, a home run and six RBIs in five games played. Emerson Mercado is 4 for 10 with two RBIs, Liam Pena Caraballo is 4 for 5 with two doubles, Prinze Kingsale is 3 for 5 and Anthony Santos is 3 for 5 with two RBIs.

Add in Josiah Koolman, who is 2 for 4, and Isaac Arendsz, who is 2 for 4 with two RBIs, and Aruba can seemingly break a game open at any point.

Both teams have solid offenses and both teams can pitch well with superb defensive players backing them up. Needless to say, Saturday will be a battle and both teams are hoping to keep their summers going and bring home a title.

“I will try my best (to earn Chinese Taipei its first title since 1996), but there’s no guarantee. Everyone is very good,” Min-Nan said. “But that number (29 years) is ingrained somewhere in me. Every time we talk in conversation, we say ‘this year we really want to get that.'”