Mexico's Xavier Nolasco celebrates with his teammates after the game against Panama during the Little League World Series, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, in South Williamsport, Pa. (AP Photo/Caleb Craig)

A day after beating Puerto Rico thanks to a grand slam and two home runs, Mexico on a close thriller over Panama, 2-1, to advance at the Little League World Series and keep its summer alive.

With one out, Xavier Nolasco singled to left which brought in Iker Castaneda for the walk-off victory over Panama after Panama tied the game in the top of the sixth inning.

Gregorio Madrid struck out nine as he threw all six innings for Mexico and scattered three singles with just one walk allowed. Castaneda had a double and Nolasco went 2 for 3 for Mexico.

Panama was led by Eugenio Barrios (1 for 2), Eric Rodriguez (1 for 2) and Alvis Arauz (1 for 2).

HAWAII 9, ILLINOIS 1

Bronson Fermahin smashed a three-run first inning home run and fueled a five-run opening burst as Honolulu, Hawaii collected 15 hits and defeated Clarendon Hills, Illinois, 9-1 at Lamade Stadium. Honolulu reached the Final 6 among the U.S. Field and plays again Tuesday when it faces the loser of Monday’s Nevada-South Carolina game.

Fermahin, Evan Crawford and Kobe Lumford all went 3 for 3 and the West champions broke out after being limited to one run in their opener against Connecticut. Fermahin’s home run to right-center field was just the spark his team needed and it was part of a run of five straight hits as Hawaii built a commanding 5-0 advantage.

“It was super exciting. I was super pumped up,” Fermahin said. I was really excited about hitting a home run. I knew we had the momentum going forward.”

They sure did.

Hawaii added three more runs in the second inning and another in the third to build a 9-0 advantage. Josh Tanaka had two hits and the Nos. 2-6 hitters went a combined 12 for 15 with five RBIs. Evan Crawford, who had not pitched since districts, earned the win in relief, scattering four hits and striking out two.

Illinois produced four hits over the final four innings and closed within 9-1 when Liam Harrington hit a fourth-inning RBI single. He was one of five different players from the team who had a hit in his final Series game.

Clarendon Hills captured state and regional championships for the first time, becoming the first Illinois team to win at the Series since 2006 when it defeated Pennsylvania, 3-2 Saturday.

“I’m super happy for my guys,” Illinois manager Brian Herold said. “It’s quite an accomplishment.”

WASHINGTON 3, MASSACHUSETTS 2

Sawyer Breed threw five innings of three hit baseball, allowing no earned runs and striking out seven, as Bonney Lake, Washington edged Braintree, Massachusetts, 3-2 Sunday morning at Lamade Stadium in a Little League World Series elimination game. Washington is now ensured a finish among the country’s top six teams and will play again Tuesday against the loser of Monday night’s Connecticut-South Dakota game.

Breed also made the game’s biggest play when he threw out a runner trying to score the game-tying run from third on a delayed steal. Washington led 3-2 in the fifth and Massachusetts had runners on second and third with one out. Breed first recorded a strikeout, then produced a perfect throw to catcher Mason Woods who applied a quick tag for the third out.

“He heard (shortstop) Gavin (Heacox) telling him, ‘runner,’ and threw,” Washington coach Chris Heacox said. “It takes a lot of execution to make that play work. If the throw is high, he scores. That was a great play by Sawyer.”

Washington scored three two-out runs in the first two innings, including two in the second when it went ahead, 3-2. Atley Eager hit a single and Cole Sehlin’s RBI single gave Washington a lead it would never relinquish. Breed was all but untouchable after allowing two second inning runs. He allowed just a fourth inning double from there before Andrew Madsen closed out the win with a perfect sixth inning.

“It was awesome,” Breed said. “The first inning I was nervous. When I calmed down it was great.”

Massachusetts finished a historic summer with 19 wins, becoming the first team in Braintree American Little League history to win state and regional championships.

CANADA 12, AUSTRALIA 0 (5 INN.)

Canada blew the game wide open at Volunteer Stadium on Sunday with an eight-run fifth inning ti put the mercy-rule into effect in a 12-0 win against Australia.

Canada collected 13 hits in the win as Misha Lee (2 for 3, RBI, run), Arek Aubuchon (2 for 2, three RBIs) and Matthew Wong (2 for 2, RBI, run) each had two singles apiece.

Tyson Grimsrud-Ronse threw four innings and struck out five and didn’t allow a run. Misha Lee closed the game out and allowed just one hit, a double by Braxton Black.

The loss eliminates Australia from title contention at the World Series.