2011 Little League World Series

SI Staff | Aug 28, 2011

2011 Little League World Series

Tom E. Puskar/AP

Huntington Beach, Calif., returned the Little League World Series title to the United States, taking the crown back from Japan. Nick Pratto singled in the winning run with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of sixth to secure a 2-1 victory over Hamamatsu City, Japan. It marked the sixth LLWS title in the last seven years for a U.S. team.

Gene J. Puskar/AP

Huntington Beach, Calif.'s Dylan Palmer reacts after slamming a two-run home run off Billings, Mont., pitcher Patrick Zimmer to help California win the U.S. Championship. California will face Japan in Sunday's world title game.

Gene J. Puskar/AP

Kaito Suzuki celebrates after singling in the International Championship game. Japan now faces California for the world championship on Sunday.

Matt Slocum/AP

Huntington Beach, Calif., right fielder Steven Kotkosky catches a liner by Clinton County, Pa.'s Tyler McCloskey as California eliminated the hometown team and moved to the U.S. final against Montana.

Matt Slocum/AP

Japan's Gaishi Iguchi reacts after hitting an RBI single as Venezuela's Neil Prieto reacts. Japan, the defending champion, faced Mexico in the international final.

Gene J. Puskar/AP

Nearly 42,000 took in the opening pool-play game featuring Clinton County, Pa., just 30 miles from the stadium.

Gene J. Puskar/AP

Clinton County, Pa.'s Alex Garbrick crosses the plate as Warner Robins, Ga., catcher Josh Coodman drops the ball. Garbrick scored on a double by Landon Breon.

Matt Slocum/AP

Dhahran, Saudi Arabia's Gustavo Leon follows through as he comes to the plate.

Gene J. Puskar/AP

Mexico's Bruco Ruiz, center, celebrates with his team after hitting the game-winning walk-off single, scoring Jorge Jacobo, in the seventh inning of a game against Hamamatsu City, Japan.

Tom E. Puskar/AP

La Grange, Ky., catcher Jackson Mason tags out Clinton County, Pa.'s Tyler McCloskey in the sixth inning of their pool-play game.

Gene J. Puskar/AP

Cumberland, R.I's Christopher Wright reacts as he runs to the dugout after striking out to end a game against Clinton County, Pa.

Gene J. Puskar/AP

Trey Odom, from Warner Robins, Ga., collects a third-inning single against Rapid City, S.D.

Tim Shaffer/Reuters

Billings, Montana second baseman Jet Campbell throws to first base for a sixth-inning out against the Huntington Beach, California.

Gene J. Puskar/AP

Maracay, Venezuela, catcher Carlos Narvaez, top, gets the tag on Mexicali, Mexico's Alvaro Valdez (12) for an out in the seventh. Mexico prevailed in nine innings.

Matt Slocum/AP

Kaohsiung, Taiwan right fielder Chun-Yen Kuo attempts to reach a double by Mexicali, Mexico's Carlos Arellano.