In the 2014 Little League World SeriesSeoul Little League cruised their way to a Little League World Series title. Despite not qualifying for the tournament in 2015, they are back this year and are one win away from winning it all once again. 

In the International ChampionshipAsia-Pacific got the best of Latin America, defeating them 7-2. Winning this game, South Korea advances to the World Championship, and will play the winner of the United States Championship between Southeast and Mid-Atlantic

Latin America actually beat Asia-Pacific on Wednesday, the first time South Korea has ever lost at the Little League World Series. But when it mattered the most, the South Koreans came out on top. 

Both teams get a run in the first

Joaquin Tejada got the start for Panama, hoping to continue his excellent play in the tournament. In the two games and 5.1 innings he pitched, he left hitters scoreless while only giving up two hits. He got the save on Wednesday against South Korea. 

But to open up this one, it was a different story. Jungtaek Ru hit a bunt single to open up the first frame. Seum Kwon followed with a fielder's choice, then advanced to third on a fielder's choice by the shortstop. With two away and Youbin Choi at the plate, Jaekyeong Kim got into a rundown between first and second, enabling Kwon to score from third base. 

In the bottom half of the inning, South Korea gifted Panama a run. Carlos Gonzalez doubled with two away, advanced to third base on a passed ball, then eventually scored on a wild pitch. 

South Korea scores five in the second

But after that first inning, Asia-Pacific took control. Minho Choi led off the inning with a double, advanced to third on a dropped third strike with Yoomin Lee at the plate, and scored on a Junhyeok Lee single. 

South Korea, however, would not be done. With one away, Seum Keon got a hold of one and deposited a pitch to the left field bleachers for a two-run home run. It was his third home run of the tournament and gave Asia-Pacific a 4-1 lead. 

But the South Korea bats would not stop there. Still with two outs, Sangheon Park walked, and scored on a Jaekyeong Kim two-run homer. The blast gave Asia-Pacific a commanding 6-1 lead. 

Despite not scoring any more runs in the second, their hot bats continued in the third. Wontae Cho went yard to open up the inning, South Korea's third home run of the day. 

Edwar Bethancourth  came in immediately following the home run and shut down South Korea's bats for the remainder of the game. He tossed four innings yielding just four hits and no runs while striking out five batters. 

Youbin Choi goes the distance

Saturday was only Choi's second time pitching during the Little League World Series, but he made the most of it. 

Despite giving up a gifted run in the first, he kept Panama's bats fooled the rest of the way out. Choi ended up with a complete game, striking out an incredible 14 hitters while giving up just six hits. Choi needed just 76 pitches to go the distance, nine below the maximum amount of 85. 

Youbin Choi set down 14 hitters on strikes during his dominant performance on Saturday. (Photo: Christina Hoy/VAVEL USA)
Youbin Choi set down 14 hitters on strikes during his dominant performance on Saturday. (Photo: Christina Hoy/VAVEL USA)

Latin America's second run came in the fifth, where Bethancourth singled home Jose Torres. But it was not enough, as South Korea continues their dominance in the Little League World Series.  

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About the author
Oliver P. Gold
A Providence, Rhode Island based sports journalist and blogger with expertise in baseball and basketball. Includes MLB, NBA and NCAA College Basketball. New England sports fan of Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics and Providence Friars.