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It was a big day in Williamsport.
Monday's matches featured four U.S. teams and four international teams competing to avoid a first defeat and put themselves in prime position to advance to their respective finals.
The losers now face elimination and can only hope that their pitching depth can rise to the challenges that lie ahead.
Here is a report on what happened on the day.
Japan beats Venezuela 2-1
Nevada vs. Hawaii, 3 p.m. ET.
Chinese Taipei vs. Cuba, 5 p.m. ET.
Florida vs. Texas, 7pm ET.
See the complete Little League World Series bracket here.
It was a gutsy performance for Tokyo.
Pitcher Kanta Iwashita led off the innings, allowing one run and five hits while striking out 11 Venezuelan batters. Japan's offense wasn't as strong on the day, managing just four hits, but it was enough to win by one run.
Japan took the lead when Yuzuki Ozawa hit a ball over the right fielder's head for an RBI double.
Simon Bicceria's single tied the game in the bottom of the third, but Japan took the lead on a wild pitch in the fifth.
Japan is now one win away from the International Championship, while Venezuela faces Aruba in the final on Tuesday.
This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.
