LLWS RECAP: Japan 4, Panama 1
Kitasuna of Japan used two first-inning home runs to build an early lead on the way to a 4-1 victory over Panama's Aguadulce Cabezera in a Little League World Series International bracket quarterfinal before 13,145 fans at Lamade Stadium on Wednesday.
Kotaro Kiyomiya drove home Noriatsu Osaka with a one-out homer and Shun Oshima delivered a two-out blast as the Tokyo-based team (3-0) reached Saturday's semifinals. Both teams also scored single runs in the fifth.
Winning pitcher Ryuji Osada scattered four hits, walked two and struck out seven in five innings.
The Japanese little leaguers could meet Aguadulce (2-1) again for a shot at the championship. Aduadulce plays Oriente (Nuevo Laredo, Mexico) in Thursday's International lower bracket semifinal qualifier with the winner meeting Kitasuna for the right to advance to the title game.
The U.S. and International bracket winners meet for the World Series championship in a single-game showdown at 3 p.m. Sunday.
