It was a full day of winners’ bracket action in the Little League World Series on Monday, Aug. 18.
Every team that took the field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, sported at least one victory in the 2025 tournament, and those teams squared off during a slate of four games.
The action on Day 6 began with Venezuela, representing the Latin America region, blanking Japan 4-0 in an International bracket game. The second International game featured the same 4-0 scoreline with Chinese Taipei (Asia-Pacific region) beating Aruba (Caribbean region).
In the U.S. bracket, the Mountain region team from Nevada needed an extra frame to beat South Carolina (Southeast region) 1-0 in seven innings. And in the nightcap, a close game early became a huge rout late as Connecticut (Metro region) poured it on to beat South Dakota (Midwest region) 13-1.
The losers of Monday’s games will now come back and play on Tuesday, Aug. 19, while the winners get a day off before their next games.
Little League World Series Day 6 scores
- Game 21 (International): Venezuela (Latin America) 4, Japan 0
- Game 22 (U.S.): Nevada (Mountain) 1, South Carolina (Southeast) 0
- Game 23 (International): Chinese Taipei (Asia-Pacific) 4, Aruba (Caribbean) 0
- Game 24 (U.S.): Connecticut (Metro) 13, South Dakota (Midwest) 1
FINAL: Connecticut 13, South Dakota 1
Luca Pellegrini threw a two-hitter and struck out six, giving up just an unearned run in six innings, while the Connecticut bats turned a 1-0 deficit into a 13-1 rout in the final three innings to remain undefeated in the 2025 tournament. South Dakota took an 1-0 lead in the first inning and held it through three innings before the Fairfield National LL bats came to life with runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Tommy D’Amura went 2-for-3 with a triple and three RBIs, and Jimmy Taxiltaridis went 2-for-2 with a double and two RBIs to lead Connecticut.
Connecticut turns close game into huge rout
Connecticut ballooned its lead to 13-1 over South Dakota in the top of the sixth inning, using seven singles, a double and five walks. South Dakota recorded the first out of the inning before Fairfield National LL loaded the bases. Tommy D’Amura then drove in two runs with single to right, while Jimmy Taxiltaridis followed up with an RBI single to center.
Things didn’t get any easier for South Dakota after that. Dante Madera and Ben Herbst each hit RBI singles before Boden Dunlap plated two more with a double to right to make it 10-1. The 11th run scored on a bases-loaded walk, and Charlie McCullough plated run No. 12 with a line drive to right before another bases-loaded walk brough home the 13th run. South Dakota used a total of four pitchers in the inning before finally getting the final out
Pellegrini stays under pitch limit
It’s been tough for South Dakota to get through Connecticut starter Luca Pellegrini. If they could just force him out of the game via the pitch count, maybe they’d stand a better chance of winning this game. However, the fifth inning did not go exactly to plan for South Dakota.
Yes, they had two hitters reach base via walks, but Pellegrini is still eight pitches under the limit, meaning he’ll be able to return to the mound for the sixth inning. South Dakota is down to their final three outs as we head to the sixth inning. Connecticut leads 3-1.
Colin Curley’s double doubles Connecticut’s lead
Nursing a one-run lead, Connecticut’s Colin Curley thought his team could use a little more. Curley laced a two-out shot down the left field line, driving in Ben Herbst and extending Connecticut’s lead to two runs. While Curley would not come around to score, a two-run lead in what has primarily been a pitcher’s duel could wind up being the difference maker in this game. South Dakota heads to the plate with six outs to spare and two runs to make up.
Tony D’Amura ties game with a triple
Despite a tremendous effort from Bohde Larson in center field, laying out to try to make the catch, the ball found the ground. The outstretch Larson had a tough time getting up as well, allowing D’Amura to reach third with a triple.
The hit scored Logan Gryga from second base, tying this game up. Immediately afterwards, Jimmy Taxiltaridis would smoke a hard grounder to third. South Dakota third baseman Devin Aukes could not make the play, allowing D’Amura to score the go-ahead run.
South Dakota gets ahead early
The bottom of the first inning was filled with close calls that nearly ended the inning for Connecticut. With two outs, a close play at first nearly ended the inning, but instead, both the ball squirted away from first, allowing runners to advance.
That was followed up with a laser shot to center field from Kenson Henderson, just out of the reach of the diving center fielder, Dante Madera. That scored the first run of the game and put runners at second and third for Landon Vavruska. Although Vavruska would strike out looking on a full count, the damage had been done. South Dakota heads into the second inning up 1-0.
FINAL: Taipei 4, Aruba 0
A tremendous pitching effort from Taipei’s staff practically sealed the deal in this game. All in all, Taipei would record 13 strikeouts, meaning only five outs came from batted balls. It’s tough to score runs when your team doesn’t make contact and Aruba learned that the hard way.
Aruba ended the day with just three hits, which isn’t bad when considering that Taipei only recorded four hits. However, the big difference were the walks. Taipei tallied five walked in the first 3.1 innings alone, while Aruba could only muster two walks all day.
Taipei’s win will match them up with Venezuela for a journey to the international championship match on the line. Aruba, meanwhile, will take on Canada in a win-or-go-home contest tomorrow.
Taipei doubles their lead again
After being held scoreless in the third, Chinese Taipei made sure to tack on two runs in the fourth, courtesy of a single from Lai Yu-Han.
Despite two runs already coming across this inning, there remains only one out with a runner on first for Jian Zih-De.
Taipei pitcher has eight strikeouts through three innings
In the previous game, both starters had double-digit strikeouts. However, their impressive numbers might get blown out of the water if Taipei pitcher Liu Wei-Heng keeps this up. Through three innings, Wei-Heng has struck out eight batters, while surrendering only two hits.
Wei-Heng is also on pace to finish the game at 84 pitches as well, which would be under the pitch limit. While 16 strikeouts would not be the record − 22 by Taipei’s Chin-Mu Hsu, 1971 − it would certainly be a statement figure that should scare every other team in the international bracket.
Taipei extends lead in second
After a strategic run in the first, Taipei leaned on raw power to score their second. With only one out, Chen Shi-Hong lifted a high fly ball to deep left field. The ball was misplayed by the left fielder Emerson Mercado, allowing Shi-Hong to coast into second with a double, and scoring Jian Zih-De.
Delayed steal winds up scoring for Taipei
With runners at first and second and only one out, Taipei made a bold move, having Tsai Yu-Ge steal third on a delay. The throw was close, but Yu-Ge’s leg just barely got in before the tag.
Aruba pitcher Jayderick Wederfoor would end up striking out the batter, but the final strike would get by the catcher, allowing Yu-Ge to score. Without that delayed steal, Taipei would still be tied, but instead, they head to the bottom of the first up 1-0.
FINAL: Nevada 1, South Carolina 0
Nevada knew they needed to outlast Giulietti to give themselves the best chance to win. Finally, in the seventh inning, after Giulietti was forced out, Nevada didn’t just pick up their first hit, they picked up their second and the game-winning run.
With two outs and a runner in scoring position, Cutter Ricafort smacked a single to right field. The ball was misplayed by right fielder Ryder Tillitz, allowing Griffin Vargas to score from second. After six no-hit innings, South Carolina comes up heartbreakingly short, falling 1-0.
Nevada’s next game will be Wednesday, August 20, against the winner of the other U.S. game happening today. Meanwhile, South Carolina moves to the loser’s bracket and will face Hawaii tomorrow.
D’Ambrosio clutches up
After South Carolina bunted the ghost runner over to third to start the top of the seventh, D’Ambrosio faced the tall task of trying to hold that runner. He did just that, striking out both Brody Miller and Ryder Tillitz to end the inning.
D’Ambrosio’s excitement was evident, as he bounced off the mound, shouting the whole way to the dugout. Nevada needs just one run to take this game home. In fact, two sacrifice bunts could win Nevada the game without recording a single hit. Wouldn’t that be something?
We’re headed to extras
Giulietti had just 11 pitches to work with in order to push this game to extra innings. After falling behind 3-1 to the first batter of the inning, Giulietti bounced back to strike out two of the three hitters he faced and was never forced out of the game, meaning we are heading to extras for the first time in the 2025 LLWS.
Giulietti unfortunately may not earn the win despite throwing a no-hitter, but his effort will not go unnoticed. Regardless, this game just became that much more important for South Carolina as a loss would force the team to play several games in the loser’s bracket before Giulietti can return to the mound on Saturday.
D’Ambrosio avoids trouble
With Gallegos out, Luke D’Ambrosio needed to shut the door to give his team a shot at winning before heading into extras. With two outs, South Carolina reached base via an infield single and a walk, putting the go-ahead run in scoring position. D’Ambrosio came through though, striking out Brady Westbrooks to return his team to the dugout with a chance to win.
Obviously, it will be tough to score right now for Nevada. South Carolina pitcher Joe Giulietti still has 11 pitches to work with and has only allowed one baserunner, via a walk. However, if Nevada can waste a few pitches and force Giulietti out, perhaps they’ll gain the advantage they’ve been searching for all game.
Gallegos out, D’Ambrosio in for Nevada
After five and one-third stellar innings for Gallegos, Nevada is swapping pitchers, opting for Luke D’Ambrosio instead.
Gallegos did well to limit this South Carolina squad, tossing 58 of 85 pitches for strikes, and holding the Southeast reps to just five hits and one walk while striking out 12. The game remains scoreless, but Gallegos will be unavailable to pitch until Saturday, which might not be a big issue if Nevada wins here, but a loss in this game could be a big problem as Nevada would be forced to trudge through the loser’s bracket without their ace.
No-hitter still alive for South Carolina’s Joe Giulietti
Giulietti can thank his shortstop, Preston Ware, from not panicking after initially muffing a ball hit to him. Ware calmly gathered the ball and threw to first to beat the runner. No-hit is still alive and Giulietti picked up his 10th strikeout – so now both starting pitchers have over 10 strikeouts in the game. Still scoreless after five innings.
Have a day, Garrett Gallegos
South Carolina has peppered Gallegos for five hits, but none of them have turned into runs yet. Conversely, Gallegos is stopping South Carolina with strikeouts (12 to be exact). We are scoreless after the top of the fifth inning.
Still scoreless between South Carolina and Nevada
South Carolina and Nevada have put together one of the best games of the Little League World Series this year. Through four innings, we are scoreless in large part due to both starting pitchers. Nevada’s Garrett Gallegos has scattered four hits, allowed one walk but more importantly has 10 strikeouts to keep South Carolina off the scoreboard. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s Joe Giulietti has matched that performance with four shutout innings and has allowed only one walk and has struck out nine Nevada batters.
We officially have a pitcher’s duel between South Carolina and Nevada
We’ve seen very few baserunners so far today. South Carolina’s Joe Giulietti has faced seven batters and has four strikeouts. Nevada’s Garrett Gallegos has faced nine batters and has four strikeouts. We are scoreless after two innings.
Scoreless after one inning
Nevada’s Garrett Gallegos and South Carolina’s Joe Giulietti each faced four batters in the first inning. Giulietti had to throw 26 pitches though compared to Gallegos’ 16 pitches. No score after one inning.
South Carolina vs Nevada up next in the LLWS
South Carolina (1-0), which defeated last year’s LLWS champion in the Southeast Region, plays its second game in Williamsport while Nevada (2-0) is one of two 2-0 teams.
FINAL: Venezuela 4, Japan 0
Juan Reyes’ unofficial nickname? How about the ‘shutout king’. The Venezuela ace labored through a 26-pitch bottom of the sixth inning but Japan still wasn’t able to score on him despite getting a runner in scoring position. He finished with a complete game three-hitter with nine strikeouts, including three in the bottom of the sixth inning. Venezuela makes some Little League World Series history by becoming only the sixth team to have shutouts in its first three games in the LLWS, according to ESPN. South Dakota in 2021 was the last team to have three consecutive shutouts to start their LLWS journey. That year, South Dakota finished in fourth place. Now, Venezuela stays in the winner’s bracket and moves on to Wednesday’s 1 p.m. ET game against Chinese Taipei/Aruba winner. Meanwhile, Japan drops into the loser’s bracket and will face Mexico at 1 p.m. ET Tuesday in an elimination game.
Venezuela’s Juan Reyes making a case for best pitcher in the LLWS
Reyes has thrown 11 shutout innings so far in Williamsport. He had a complete game four-hitter with nine strikeouts in a 5-0 victory versus Puerto Rico on Wednesday, August 13. He’s blanked Japan for five more shutout innings so far while only giving up two hits but he’s got six strikeouts.
Japan’s Ryusei Hayaski cruises through the fifth inning
Hayaski is keeping Japan’s chances alive by tossing his second 1-2-3 inning. Overall, he’s recorded nine outs (came on in relief in the third) on only 18 pitches. Reminder, the winner of this winner’s bracket game would only need one more win (Wednesday, August 20 at 1 p.m. ET) to make it to the Little League World Series International Championship game on Saturday, August 23 at 12:30 p.m. ET
Venezuela’s Juan Reyes showing why he’s an ace
Reyes has tossed four shutout innings for Venezuela so far today. He’s allowed two hits and one walk but has struck out five batters as his country leads 4-0 after four innings.
Japan’s Ryusei Hayashi slows down Venezuela
Hayashi, who came on in relief in the third inning, tosses a three-pitch inning in the fourth (pop out, pop out and groundout) to keep Venezuela off the bases for the first time today.
Juan Reyes is in a groove for Venezuela
Reyes get a 1-2-3 inning via a strikeout, a fly out and another strikeout and he’s retired eight batters in a row. It is still 4-0 Venezuela after three innings.
Venezuela adds to lead
Venezuela forced Japan to go to its third pitcher of the game and the runs kept coming. Juan Reyes’ RBI-single and Jesus Gomez’s sacrifice fly pushed the lead to 4-0 after the top of the third inning.
Japan goes to its third pitcher of the game
Japan’s manager must have seen something he didn’t like with the way Itsuki Masuyama was throwing because he only faced two batters before being lifted. Masuyama (five pitches) is available on Tuesday, if Japan loses.
Itsuki Masuyama is the new pitcher for Japan
Starter Tensei Yazawa went two and one-third innings before Masuyama took over. If Japan loses, Yazawa (37 pitches) wouldn’t be eligbile to pitch Tuesday. If Japan wins, Yazawa could return to the mound on Wednesday.
Sebastian Lopez with the web gem, Juan Reyes has 6-pitch inning
Reyes got the first two batters to swing on the first pitch, both ended in outs. The second out was a web gem by Lopez, the starting centerfielder. He reached up into the air while backpedaling to make a fantastic catch. Lopez then strikes out the final batter in the bottom of the second inning.
Venezuela can’t capitalize on wild pitch
Venezuela gets its fourth and fifth hit to start the top of the second inning and then a wild pitch by Japan’s Tensei Yazama put two runners in scoring position with one out. However, Yazama got a fly out to end the threat.
Japan has one-out threat
Japan got runners to first and second with one out but Venezuela’s catcher handle a high chopper in front of the plate with ease to get the second out and Juan Reyes struck out the final batter to end the bottom of the first inning.
Venezuela strikes first
Venezuela loads the bases with three straight singles and then gets two runs on a fielder’s choice play followed by a throwing error to first base.
Venezuela vs Japan starts Monday’s LLWS action on ESPN
Two undefeated international teams begin Monday’s games from Williamsport, Pennsylvania. It will be Venezuela (2-0) facing Japan (1-0) at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN.
What time does Little League World Series start today?
The first game on Monday, Aug. 18 starts at 1 p.m. ET with the final game starting at 7 p.m. ET. All games take place in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in either Howard J. Lamade Stadium or Little League Volunteer Stadium.
Little League World Series Day 6 schedule
Monday, Aug. 18
All times Eastern
- Game 21 (International): Venezuela (Latin America) vs. Japan, 1 p.m. | ESPN
- Game 22 (U.S.): South Carolina (Southeast) vs. Nevada (Mountain), 3 p.m. | ESPN
- Game 23 (International): Chinese Taipei (Asia-Pacific) vs. Aruba (Caribbean), 5 p.m. | ESPN
- Game 24 (U.S.): Connecticut (Metro) vs. South Dakota (Midwest), 7 p.m. | ESPN
Little League World Series 2025: TV, time and how to watch
The Little League World Series began Wednesday, Aug. 13 and concludes on Sunday, Aug. 24. Games will be presented across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+. Viewers can also watch with Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.
- Times: Coverage begins at 1 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo
Watch 2025 Little League World Series in Fubo
Little League World Series Day 5 results
Sunday, Aug. 17
- Game 17 (U.S.): Washington 3, Massachusetts 2
- Game 18 (International): Canada 12, Australia 0
- Game 19 (U.S.): Hawaii 9, Illinois 1
- Game 20 (International): Mexico 2, Panama 1
Little League World Series Day 4 results
Saturday, Aug. 16
- Game 13 (International): Australia 5, Czechia 3
- Game 14 (U.S.): Massachusetts 7, Texas 3
- Game 15 (International): Mexico 11, Puerto Rico 5
- Game 16 (U.S.): Illinois 3, Pennsylvania 2
Little League World Series Day 3 results
Friday, Aug. 15
- Game 9 (International): Venezuela 4, Canada 0
- Game 10 (U.S.): Nevada 5, Washington 3
- Game 11 (International): Aruba 8, Panama 2
- Game 12 (U.S.): Connecticut 5, Hawaii 1
Little League World Series Day 2 results
Thursday, Aug. 14
- Game 5 (International): Japan 12, Czechia 0
- Game 6 (U.S.): South Carolina 13, Massachusetts 0
- Game 7 (International): Chinese Taipei 3, Mexico 0
- Game 8: (U.S.): South Dakota 2, Pennsylvania 0
Little League World Series Day 1 results
Wednesday, Aug. 13
- Game 1 (International): Venezuela 5, Puerto Rico 0
- Game 2 (U.S.): Nevada 16, Illinois 1
- Game 3 (International): Panama 7, Australia 2
- Game 4 (U.S.): Connecticut 1, Texas 0