Little League World Series: Day 7 Recap

Wednesday in South Williamsport saw the team from North Carolina punch its ticket to the U.S. Championship game. Connecticut stayed alive and hopes to move forward on Thursday while the boys from Japan advanced to Saturday's International Championship. Here's a look at the scores and schedules.

Wednesday's Games: Connecticut 12, New Jersey 2 Japan 10, Canada 0 (5 innings) North Carolina 2, Texas 1

Thursday's Games (Elimination Games): 3 p.m.—Canada vs. Mexico (ESPN) 7:30 p.m.—Connecticut vs. Texas (ESPN)

Teammates mob Connecticut's Troy Ashkinos (#12) after his grand slam on Wednesday at the Little League World Series. Photo Courtesy of Little League Baseball and Softball

U.S. Player of the Day—Troy Ashkinos, Connecticut Leading the high-powered Connecticut offense past New Jersey in its elimination game was right fielder Troy Ashkinos. His shining moment came in the fourth when he broke open a 5-2 game with a grand slam to center. Adding a late single, Troy finished 2-for-2 with five RBIs and two runs scored. Connecticut faces another must-win game on Thursday against Texas.

Japan's Natsuki Yajima (#20) and his teammates celebrate after advancing to the International Championship Game at the Little League World Series. Photo Courtesy of Little League Baseball and Softball

International Player of the Day—Natsuki Yajima, Japan Natsuki started the day with a first-inning RBI single and stayed hot from there. He blasted a two-run bomb in the third inning and added a single in the fourth, eventually coming around to score as Japan closed out Canada in five innings with the 10-run rule. He finished 3-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Japan advances to the International Championship game on Saturday.

Indians Prospects Highlight New York-Penn League All-Star Rosters

Indians Prospects Highlight New York-Penn League All-Star Rosters

BA Intern Conor Hynes contributed to this report