**Mexico Falls to Venezuela in Little League World Series**
Barquisimeto’s team from Venezuela triumphed over Mexico’s Matamoros, Tamaulipas league in the international semifinal of the Little League World Series held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The Venezuelans secured an 11-3 victory, continuing their dominance after previously defeating Matamoros 10-0 on August 16 and edging out Aruba 2-1.
Mexico had managed a dramatic comeback against Cuba, with Antonio Guerrero hitting a three-run home run to tie the game, followed by a defining homer by Ulises Ortiz that led to a 6-4 win. Alas, their efforts fell short against a formidable Venezuelan side.
The game saw Venezuela jumping to an early lead, scoring three runs in the first inning and extending it to 6-0 by the second. Despite Mexico’s reply with a single run in the second inning and two more in the fourth, they couldn’t bridge the gap. Venezuela sealed the victory with four more runs in the sixth inning, setting the final score at 11-3. With this loss, Mexico remains winless in the competition since their last victory in 1997.
Looking ahead, Venezuela will play Japan on August 22. The winner of that match will face Chinese Taipei in the international final on August 23, with the ultimate victor competing against the U.S. team for the championship on August 25.
**Summary:** Venezuela took an early and commanding lead, repeating their strong performance and ultimately ensuring an 11-3 victory. Mexico remains without a win in the series since 1997.
**Secondary Article:**
**Japan Outshines Venezuela, Heads to Final**
In a gripping semifinal match, Japan defeated Venezuela, securing their spot in the international final of the Little League World Series. The Japanese team, which had previously fallen to Chinese Taipei, showed resilience and tactical superiority to win the game with a score of 7-4. Japan’s pitchers combined skill and strategy, consistently outmaneuvering Venezuela’s batters.
On the opposite end, Venezuela exhibited strong performances but couldn’t match Japan’s momentum. Despite taking an early lead, Venezuela’s defense struggled against Japan’s relentless batting lineup.
Next, Japan will battle Chinese Taipei in the international final on August 23rd, and the winner will face the U.S. champion for the World Series title on August 25th. The stage is set for an exciting finale as teams from different corners of the globe vie for the coveted championship.
Stay tuned as TJGringo.com continues to bring you the latest updates and highlights from the Little League World Series.