SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Japan is headed back to the Little League World Series championship game.
Yoshiki Suzuki struck out seven and Mitsuhiro Uchida and Asuya Otsuka each had two hits to lift Hamamatsu City past Mexicali, Mexico, 5-2 Saturday to win the Little League international championship.
Japan will play either Montana or California for the World Series title Sunday. Montana and California play later Saturday for the U.S. championship.
Mexico rallied to within three runs in the fifth on Jorge Jacobo’s RBI triple, but Jacobo was thrown out on the next play on a defensive gem after Suzuki covered home on a weak grounder.
Suzuki took the throw from his catcher and blocked the plate for the out to save a run.
Japan never trailed after taking a 2-0 lead in the third.
