Aruba falls in extra-inning World Series thriller

LIVERMORE, California – Aruba opened its Intermediate (50/70) Little League World Series campaign with a heartbreaking 6-5 loss to Asia-Pacific after an eight-inning battle that featured multiple lead changes.

Asia-Pacific built an early 3-1 lead by capitalizing on defensive miscues and timely hitting.

Aruba fought back throughout the game. Emerson Mercado Sarmiento drove in the team's first run with a sacrifice fly before Arnold Gismar Martha added an RBI single to cut the deficit.

The biggest moment came in the sixth inning when Anthony Santos Garcia delivered a two-run single, giving Aruba a 4-3 lead.

Asia-Pacific responded immediately, tying the game at 4-4 before Aruba regained the lead in the seventh on RBI hits by Jay-sell Girón and Jerson Geerman.

The game was decided in extra innings. Asia-Pacific tied the score and then won it on Seung Hoo Kim's RBI single in the eighth.

Aruba loaded the bases in its final at-bat but was unable to bring home the tying run, ending a dramatic contest.