For the first time ever, the Little League World Series championship came down to two teams that lost early in the tournament and had to fight their way through the elimination bracket.
The tiny island of Curacao _ representing the Caribbean and featuring Jurdrick Profar, the youngest brother of Oakland A's infielder Jurickson Profar _ played a Louisiana team from the New Orleans suburb of River Ridge. Curacao defeated Japan 5-4, and Louisiana defeated Hawaii on Saturday, Aug. 24 to advance to the championship.
In the title game on Sunday, Aug. 25, Louisiana could do no wrong.
The team representing the Southwest region claimed its first Little League World Series title ever as Marshall Louque hit a pair of doubles and drove in three runs, while pitcher Egan Prather threw a two-hit shutout. Final score: Louisiana 8, Curacao 0.
Louisiana team members celebrate after defeating Curacao 8-0 in the Little League World Series Championship in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, August 25, 2019. / Photo by James Leavy
Louisiana pitcher Egan Prather throws in the sixth inning at the Little League World Series Championship in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, August 25, 2019. Louisiana defeated Curacao 8-0. / Photo by James Leavy
Egan Prather hugs his grandmother, Jane Prather, after Egan's Louisiana team defeated Curacao in the Little League World Series Championship game in South Williamsport August 25, 2019. Egan pitched in the game. / Photo by James Leavy
Kathy Hoffman, 63, of Pitman Pa., takes a ride down the hill overlooking Lamade Field with her granddaughter, Delilah Brossman, 16, of Pottsville Pa., on Sunday, August 25, 2019. / Photo by James Leavy
Living adjacent to the Little League World Series Complex in South Williamsport Pa., benefits Joe Eck, as he earns extra money by parking cars in his yard on Sunday, August 25, 2019. / Photo by James Leavy
Louisiana team members celebrate their 8-0 win against Curacao in the Little League World Series Championship in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, August 25, 2019. / Photo by James Leavy
Pamela Wiltz takes a selfie with her son, Stan Wiltz, after the Louisiana team that Stan plays for defeated Curacao in the Little League World Series Championship game in South Williamsport August 25, 2019. / Photo by James Leavy
Curacao fans cheer in the third inning of the Little League World Series Championship in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, August 25, 2019. Louisiana defeated Curacao 8-0. / Photo by James Leavy
Louisiana team members celebrate after their win against Curacao 8-0 in the Little League World Series Championship in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, August 25, 2019. / Photo by James Leavy
Curaca second baseman Deshandro Tromp dodges a pitch in the sixth inning at the Little League World Series Championship in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, August 25, 2019. / Photo by James Leavy
Franklin Confesor, a Curacao fan, watches his team lose to Louisiana in the Little League World Series Championship in South Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, August 25, 2019. / Photo by James Leavy
Louisiana’s Derek DeLatte pitches in the fifth inning during the U.S. Championship game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. Louisiana defeated Hawaii 9-5. / Photo by James Leavy
Hawaii’s Logan Kuloloia pitches in the third inning during the U.S. Championship game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. Curacao defeated Hawaii 9-5. / Photo by James Leavy
Curacao team members celebrate after a home run by Curley Martha (12), in the fifth inning of the International Championship Game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. Curacao defeated Japan 5-4. / Photo by James Leavy
Curacao pitcher Curley Martha follows through on a pitch in the fifth inning during the International Championship game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. Curacao defeated Japan 5-4. / Photo by James Leavy
Japan team members leave the field after losing 5-4 to Curacao in the International Championships Game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. / Photo by James Leavy
Japan’s Kensuke Sekikai (2) slides into second base during the sixth inning of the International Championship game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. Japan lost to Curacao 5-4. / Photo by James Leavy
Louisiana’s Ryder Planchard celebrates with manager Scott Fraszier after their team won the U.S. Championship game at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. Louisiana defeated Hawaii 9-5. / Photo by James Leavy