2026 Little League World Series: Curaçao's Jaymiëll Martina strikes out 12 in 4-0 win over Japan for international championship

The 2026 Little League World Series is down to its final games with the international and United States titles to be determined on Saturday, and those winners playing for the LLWS World Series championship on Sunday at Howard J. Lamade Stadium in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Pitcher Jaymiëll Martina notched 12 strikeouts to lead Curaçao (Willemstad) to a 4-0 win over Japan (Tokyo) for the LLWS international championship.

Japan threatened to score early on singles by Tensei Yazawa and Yunosuke Yabe to lead off the game. Martina then walked Kei Kawanishi to load the bases. But Martina struck out Ryosuke Takaoka and Taiga Yumitori to keep Japan off the board.

Yunosuke Yabe didn't allow a hit in his first two innings for Tokyo. But Curaçao broke through with three runs in the third, thanks to several defensive miscues by Japan.

Jaymiel Antonia reached base on a dropped third strike by catcher Kei Kawanishi. Nathanael Jansen then laid down a bunt to move Antonia over, but Yazawa made an error throwing the ball to second base. Center fielder Takeru Yorozu then threw the ball wide of third base, allowing Antonia to score.

Jansen advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, then came in to score on a bunt by Jordan Richards and an error by first baseman Rui Tobata. Curaçao added its third run when Tobata fielded another bunt and threw wide of first base, allowing Richards to score.

Curaçao will face the winner of the U.S. championship game between Henderson, Nevada (Mountain region) and Hamilton, Ohio (Great Lakes) on Sunday.

The LLWS schedule and results leading up to Saturday and Sunday's championship games can be seen here .