“It’s awesome,” the the first baseman screamed into the microphone at the post-game press conference.

His teammates no doubt felt it was awesome too.

Yazawa hit a first-inning home run which brought in three runs and gave Japan an early four-run lead as the Japan Regional champions from Tokyo defeated Chihuahua, Mexico at Volunteer Stadium on Tuesday, 6-0.

“I was waiting for the fast ball,” Yazawa said.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Japan's Tensei Yazawa (19) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the International game against Mexico at the Little League World Series on Tuesday. Japan won 6-0.

His home run was one of two hit by Japan on Tuesday. No. 3 hitter Yushi Yamamoto went 2 for 3 with a fifth-inning, two-run home run as he ended with three RBIs.

“That third at bat, they were coming up in the strike zone on the outside and I made a hard hit,” Yamamoto said. “That’s why I could hit the home run.”

Japan out-hit Mexico, 10-4. Mexico was held to four singles by Ian Cano (1 for 3), Gregorio Madrid (1 for 1), Brandon Acevedo (1 for 2) and Elias Martinez (1 for 2).

“It was difficult (trailing in first inning. The first hit, that was a centerfield error, and then came the disappointment,” Mexico manager Esteban Gallardo said. “They scored the four runs and it was difficult for us to come back.”

Japan’s pitching proved too tough for Mexico to hit against. Yamamoto threw 5 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts and three hits allowed before Ritsugu Furusato closed out the game and only allowed one single the remainder of the game.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Japan's Taisei Suzuki (2) connects with the ball during the International game against Mexico at the Little League World Series on Tuesday. Japan won 6-0.

“We saw how Japan was playing with the outside fastball,” Gallardo said. “The kids couldn’t hit an outside fastball (today).”

The loss eliminates Chihuahua, Mexico from the Little League World Series tournament. Japan advances in the elimination portion of the bracket and competes on Wednesday against either Canada or Japan at Volunteer Stadium.

SOUTH CAROLINA 3, HAWAII 0

Brady Westbrooks threw a brilliant four-hit shutout and second baseman Palmer Steele combined with shortstop Preston Ware to turn a game-changing, fifth inning double play as Irmo, South Carolina reached the U.S. Final 4, blanking Honolulu, Hawaii, 3-0 Tuesday at Lamade Stadium.

Westbrooks stifled an offense which produced 15 hits in its previous game, letting just one runner reach third base and striking out four. His 85th and final pitch clinched the win, giving Westbrooks his fourth strikeout and ensuring Irmo of South Carolina’s best Little League World Series finish since 1950.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Yushi Yamamoto starts out on the mound for Japan during the International game against Mexico at the Little League World Series on Tuesday. Japan won 6-0.

“That was the biggest defensive play of the game,” Irmo manager Dave Bogan said. “I’m just proud of these kids. We’ve been practicing all summer for moments like that and they made the play at the time it was needed.”

Andrew Bogan hit a two-run, sixth inning single and Joe Giulietti went 2 for 3 as Irmo earned a spot in Wednesday’s semifinals against the winner of Tuesday night’s Washington-South Dakota game. Bogan’s clutch two-out, two-run single came after Steele, Ware and first baseman Jacob Gibson combined to make the Irmo play of the year.

Hawaii had loaded the bases with one out in a 1-0 game when Shane Bunag hit a hard one-hopper toward the outfield grass. Steele made a nifty stop on the tricky hop and fired to Ware who tagged second and made a quick turn. Gibson extended his body and made a good play at first base and replays upheld the out call as Irmo reversed the momentum and put it all on its side.

“It was kind of nervewracking,” Westbrooks said. “I was just focused on the strike zone and we got the double play to get us out of the inning.”

Irmo took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Ryder Tillitz hit a one-out single, Gibson was hit by a pitch and Ethan Bennett drew a two-out walk. Sutton Gravelle then worked the count, fouled off a 3-2 pitch and drew an RBI walk.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Mexico's Diego Acosta (8) reaches for a ball to center field off the bat of Taisuke Someya during the International game against Japan at the Little League World Series on Tuesday. Japan won 6-0.

Honolulu did not reach the U.S. Final for the first time in four Series appearances, but that hardly diminishes what the team achieved this year. Honolulu captured challenging state and regional championships before winning another game at the Series.

“I told our kids we walk away from this field knowing we had a great game today. We tried our best and I nothing but a lot of love and respect for Irmo and coach Dave and his staff and his players and families. If we;re going to end it this way, this is the best way to end it, with a great game like this.”

ARUBA 6, CANADA 1

Canada had momentum in the top of the first inning thanks to an RBI by Tyson Grimsrud-Ronse for a quick one-run lead, but Aruba dashed that in one at bat.

Aruba’s leadoff batter Anthony Santos crushed a home run over the leftfield fence to tie the game and from there, it was all Aruba as the Caribbean Regional champions from Santa Cruz, Aruba beat British Columbia, Canada at Volunteer Stadium, 6-1.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Iker Castaneda starts out on the mound for Mexico during the International game against Japan at the Little League World Series on Tuesday. Japan won 6-0.

The win advances Aruba to Wednesday’s elimination game against Tokyo. Canada is eliminated from the series after a 1-2 run.

Santos became the first Aruba player at Series history to hit a home run.

“I feel very proud to be part of history,” Santos said. “I feel very proud and I also feel like I played a major role in the win today with hitting the home run.”

Aruba scored twice in the first inning after an RBI single by Emerson Mercado made it a 2-1 lead. Aruba would add another two runs in the third when Isaac Arendsz hit a two-RBI double to bring in Jayderick Wederfoor and Diliano Raven. Aruba made it a 5-1 lead in the fourth after Prinze Kingsale scored.

Aruba’s final run came in the bottom of the fifth inning. After Rylan Quandt reached on an error, he would eventually score after being walked home for the game’s final run.

Canada ended the game with seven runners left on base, including leaving two runners on in the first and second innings and having the bases loaded in the fourth inning with one out before Aruba got out of the jam.

SOUTH DAKOTA 9, WASHINGTON 0

Mason Snoozy threw another gem and Sioux Falls, South Dakota erupted for eight two-out, sixth inning runs as it defeated Bonney Lake, Washington, 9-0 and reached the U.S. Final Four. Sioux Falls joins the 2021 team from its league as the only two in South Dakota history to make the U.S. Semifinals.

A night after Connecticut tied a Little League World Series record by sending 12 straight batters to the plate in the sixth inning, South Dakota made a run at the record, also in the sixth. The Midwest champions remarkably sent 10 consecutive hitters to the plate after the first two outs were recorded.

Tayson White provided the biggest blow, belting a two-run double, while Camden Tycz and Bohde Larson added RBI singles.

“That’s our team. We lost to North Dakota in the semifinal game and then I thought we played the best game of baseball we ever played at regioanls,” Sioux Falls manager Ryan Vavruska said. “This group is resilient. We kept saying to punch through that wall; keep punching because we had runners in scoring position multiple times throughout the game and our guys decided to do it in that last inning.”

That eruption came after Snoozy overpowered a second straight Series opponent. The left-hander improved to 2-0, scattering three hits over 5 1/3 innings and striking out a U.S best 14 batters. Snoozy was at his best when Washington threatened in the first and fifth innings. Washington had second and third with one out in the first but Snoozy struck out the next two batters.

Four innings later, Sioux Falls led 1-0 when Washington loaded the bases with two outs. Again, Snoozy locked in and produced his 13th strikeout, ending the rally. He then struck out his 14th batter to start the sixth before reaching 85 pitches. Snoozy has not allowed a run in 15 1/3 innings at the Series, allowing only four hits and striking out 25.

“I just want to get out those to help the team. If walked him I probably could have cost us the game,” Snoozy said of the fifth inning approach. “I wanted to throw strikes, so I threw fastballs and I trusted my defense and ended up striking him out and it felt good.”

South Dakota took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Murphy Seefeldt reached on an error, White and Will Oakley walked and Seefeldt came home on a wild pitch.

Bonney Lake reached the Series for the second time since 2022 and became the first team from both its district and league to win a game here after defeating Massachusetts, 3-2, Sunday.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent West's Mason Mitani prepares to go to bat before crushing a double in the fifth inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Southeast pitcher Brady Westbrooks throws to on a short hit in the first inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Southeast third baseman Joe Giulietti fields a line drive for an out in the fourth inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Southeast Jacob Gibson fields the ball in front of second baseman Palmer Steele before throwing to first base for an out in the third inning

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Southeast short stop Preston Ware throws to first base to turn two after a force on West's Hulili Kauahikaua at second base with bases loaded as second base umpire Ludovic Meillier makes the call in the fifth inning.

Northwest pitcher Andrew Madsen can’t make the play at home during the second inning as Murphy Seefeldt of Midwest during the Little League World Series in South Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Gavin Heacox of the Northwest team tags out Murphy Seefedt of the Midwest team outside the third base line during the Little League World Series in South Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Maxen Snoozy of the Midwest team celebrates after getting out of the 5th inning after not allowing a run against the Northwest team during the Little League World Series in South Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette