Cooper Hastings provided four innings of scoreless relief as Texas held off Nevada for a 5-2 victory on Wednesday afternoon to reach the United States final at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. Texas completed a successful run through the winners' bracket and will play Nevada, Florida or Hawaii in the U.S. championship game on Saturday. Florida and Hawaii were scheduled to play later Wednesday, and the winner will move on to face Nevada, which dropped into the elimination bracket with the loss to Texas. Nevada drew even at 2-2 in the second when Liam Sparks walked with the bases loaded and Gunner Beranek smacked a run-scoring single. But Texas responded with a three-run third, and Hastings took care of business the rest of the way. The right-hander allowed just one hit out of the bullpen, walking one and striking out two. Hastings also had two RBIs in the win. Julian Hurst went 2-for-2 with two runs for Texas. Taiwan 3, Japan 1 Yu Chia-Jui cracked a two-run double in the first to provide Taiwan with all the offense it would need to top Japan in an International semifinal. Taiwan will play in the International final on Saturday. Ciou Zhi-Kai didn't allow a hit in three innings of shutout relief, walking three and fanning five for Taiwan. Japan didn't score until the sixth, when Tsuyoshi Ito doubled home a run. The Japanese could collide with Taiwan once again if they win their elimination game on Thursday. --Field Level Media
Aug 21, 2024; Williamsport, PA, USA; Southwest Region infielder Gabe Steubing (12) advances to third after hitting a triple against Mountain Region in the fifth inning at Lamade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports