WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao has advanced to the International Championship Game of the Little League World Series in Williamsport after Pariba Little League delivered a commanding 12-3 victory over Nicaragua on Wednesday. The Curaçao team remains undefeated after three games and is now one victory away from the World Championship Game.
Curaçao effectively decided the game in a spectacular second inning, scoring 10 runs to take control of the contest. According to Little League, the offensive explosion proved decisive in securing the convincing victory.
Pitcher Jaymiëll Martina also played a crucial role in keeping Nicaragua under control. He pitched two and one-third scoreless innings and recorded seven strikeouts.
Martina faced serious trouble early in the game when Nicaragua loaded the bases with nobody out in the first inning. He responded by striking out three consecutive batters, escaping the inning without allowing a run and preventing Nicaragua from taking advantage of the opportunity.
Curaçao also delivered a strong performance at the plate. Zha-djir Janga went two-for-two, while Jaymiel Antonia recorded two hits in three at-bats. Raymiel Martina drove in three runs.
The victory extends an impressive undefeated run for Pariba Little League in Williamsport. Curaçao opened the tournament with a 6-0 victory over Japan before securing a narrow 1-0 win against the Asia-Pacific representative. Wednesday's 12-3 victory over Nicaragua brings Curaçao's tournament total to 19 runs scored and only three allowed.
This year's tournament is particularly significant because Pariba Little League is representing Curaçao for the first time as its own region at the Little League World Series. The new status gives Curaçao a direct place in the international side of the tournament.
Curaçao will play the International Championship Game on Saturday, August 29, at 12:30 p.m. Curaçao time. Its opponent will be determined by Thursday's elimination game between Nicaragua and Japan.
A victory on Saturday would send Curaçao into Sunday's Little League World Series Championship Game, where the International Region champion will face the winner of the United States Championship Game.
With three consecutive victories and a dominant performance against Nicaragua, Curaçao now stands one win away from competing for the Little League world title.