Winning run scores on bunt as Curacao gets wild 12-11 win over Japan at Little League WS

Curacao gets wild 12-11 win over Japan at LLWS

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Richendly Bicentini sprinted home with the winning run in the bottom of the sixth on Jayson Libert’s bunt to lead Willemstad, Curacao, to a 12-11 victory over Chiba City, Japan, at the Little League World Series on Sunday night.

Japan took an 11-10 lead in the top of the sixth after Curacao committed two errors on the same play with two outs to allow Naoto Ogura to score from second.

But Curacao tied it in the bottom of the sixth on Bicentini’s RBI double. After a single sent him to third, Libert bunted to the first baseman, and Bicentini broke for home on the throw to first for the out.

The 12 year-old then beat the throw home by a half-step, setting off a Curacao celebration at the plate.

Motoki Takashima had a two-run homer for Japan.