The 2025 Little League World Series has just two teams left standing in the International bracket, as Aruba held off Venezuela for a 3-1 win at Howard J. Lamade Stadium on Thursday.
Aruba escaped one bases-loaded jam early, and from there got their runs with solid fundamentals. Emerson Mercado’s first-inning sacrifice fly opened the scoring, while Jayderick Wederfoor’s single in the third ended up being a game-winning RBI.
Isaac Arendsz brought Anthony Santos around for a third run with a sac-fly of his own in the top of the sixth inning, leaving Venezuela in a deep hole. Samuel Castillo did get a run on the board, pouncing on a throw to first that missed its target, but Aruba held firm to get the final outs needed to advance. The victory gave Aruba a bit of revenge, as Venezuela came out on top when these same two nations (represented by the same two Little League clubs on both occasions) met last year.
With the win, Aruba will advance to take on defending International champions Chinese Taipei, who on Monday won a meeting between these two ballclubs 4-0. Aruba has reeled off three consecutive wins to clinch the rematch, outscoring their opponents 12-2 in the process.
Here are highlights and play-by-play from the 2025 Little League World Series International lower-bracket final between Aruba and Venezuela:
Little League World Series: Aruba vs. Venezuela highlights
Little League World Series scores today
Thursday, Aug. 21
All times Eastern
International Bracket
Game 33: Aruba 3, Venezuela 1
United States bracket
Game 34: Nevada (Mountain) v. South Carolina (Southeast): 7 p.m. @ Lamade
Aruba holds off Venezuela 3-1
Venezuela made a major push, getting the tying run to bat with one out, but Emerson Mercado got a pop-up and then closed the game out with a strikeout.
Big sigh of relief for Aruba, which advances to the International bracket championship game on Saturday, when they’ll face Chinese Taipei — who won a previous meeting between these teams 4-0 — at Howard J. Lamade Stadium. That game is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Venezuela makes it 3-1
A wild pitch and an error have cost Aruba their shutout, with Samuel Castillo coming home as Alam Parra kept Venezuela’s hopes alive.
Parra’s hit appeared to be handled, but a throw to first missed its target. That got Parra on base, and let Samuel Castillo — who had moved to second on a wild pitch from Emerson Mercado — come home to get his team on the board.
Venezuela limits damage heading into bottom of sixth
Credit Saul Vegas Duran for recovering from a difficult situation. Aruba had the bases loaded with no outs, but Venezuela coughed up just one run after their pitcher sat two down consecutive batters with strikeouts.
That said, it’s crunch time for the Barquisimeto Little League team. It’s the bottom of the sixth, meaning they need three runs to stay alive.
LLWS: Aruba extends lead to 3-0
Aruba loaded the bases with their first three batters in the top of the sixth, and Isaac Arendsz has an RBI to make it 3-0, as a sac-fly brings Anthony Santos home.
Venezuela pitcher Saul Vegas Duran hasn’t been able to keep Aruba from making contact, and Arendsz’s fly ball to right field gave Aruba a potentially crucial extra run. Diliano Raven and Arnold Gismar Martha remain in scoring position, though Vegas Duran did get a second out with his sixth strikeout of the day.
A pitcher’s best friend? A double play to end the inning for Aruba’s Emerson Mercado
Aruba’s Mercardo stepped on the mound in relief in third inning and he’s been lights out since. He’s scattered two hits, allowed one walk but has two strikeouts and some solid defense behind him as Aruba holds onto a 2-0 lead after five innings.
Venezuela’s Saul Vegas Duran keeping team’s hopes alive
Duran came on in relief in the third inning and has allowed only three hits and has struck out five batters since. Although Aruba leads 2-0 after the top of the fifth inning, Venezuela still has a chance.
When is the 2025 Little League World Series championship game?
The 2025 Little League World Series is set to conclude at Williamsport, Pennsylvania on Sunday, Aug. 24. The 20 teams from across the globe will be down to two when the championship game kicks off at 3 p.m. ET. on ABC.
Venezuela’s Saul Vegas Duran avoids a bases loaded jam
Aruba loaded the bases with two outs. But Duran closed that opportunity by striking out Jay-Sell Girón to end the inning. It was Duran’s fourth strikeout. After the top of the fourth inning, Aruba leads 2-0 over Venezuela.
Little League World Series: Who won 2024 tournament?
The 2024 LLWS finished with a thriller, as Florida claimed a 2-1 extra-innings victory over Taiwan.
The Lake Mary Little League team made history beyond lifting the Little League World Series trophy. In winning the game, they became the first Florida-based team to ever win the tournament. — Sherlon Christie
Aruba’s new pitcher is Emerson Mercado
Mercado came out of the bullpen to relieve Jay-Sell Giron, who finished with two innings pitched, two hits and two walks. Giron threw 30 pitches, so he needs one day’s rest and could pitch Saturday, if Aruba wins today’s game.
Venezuela’s Saul Vegas Duran on the mound now
Vegas Duran is the second pitcher of the day for Venezuela as it trailed 2-0 to Aruba in the top of the third inning. He comes in and strikes out the first batter he faced to end the inning.
Venezuela’s Francisco Rivero gets close to pitching limit
Rivero threw 30 pitches in the third inning and finished with 84 pitches (one less than the threshold) before getting removed from the mound. He battled through 2 2/3 innings by allowing two hits, two runs, three walks and he had four strikeouts.
Call on the field? Catch. But the play apparently isn’t reviewable
And apparently the umpires didn’t get the call right based on the replay angles shown by ESPN several times after the play. The left fielder appeared to trap the ball while sliding to make a catch and then Aruba threw the ball to second base for the double play as the runner on second failed to tag up. It’s still 1-0 Aruba after all that commotion and lengthy delay.
Venezuela team: What to know
Cardenales Little League (Barquisimeto, Venezuela) made a repeat appearance at the LLWS this year as the Latin America champion. According to Little League, “Cardenales LL has represented Latin American in Williamsport three times previously, and it will be the 23rd appearance for the country, the sixth-most appearances among international teams.” Last year, Cardenales LL finished in third place with a 5-2 record. The country of Venezuela has won the LLWS twice, the last time coming in 2000 by Maracaibo, Venezuela. — Sherlon Christie
Aruba’s Jay-Sell Giron takes the mound versus Venezuela
Giron didn’t need many pitches (10) to get through the bottom of the first inning as he got two fly outs and a ground out. Giron ever overcame a throwing error by a teammate and still kept Venezuela off the scoreboard. Aruba leads 1-0 after the first inning.
Aruba team: What to know
Aruba Center Little League (Santa Cruz, Aruba) made a return trip to the LLWS this year after once again capturing the Caribbean region title. Overall, this was Aruba Center’s third trip to the LLWS, after previous appearances in 2024 and 2011, according to Little League. The 2024 team went 2-2 in in Williamsport. A team from Aruba has never won the Little League World Series. — Sherlon Christie
Venezuela’s Francisco Rivero takes the mound against Aruba
Rivero got himself in a little trouble to start the top of the first inning by hitting Aruba’s Anthony Santos, walking Arnold Gismar Martha and then hitting Isaac Arendsz to load the bases with one out on 26 pitches. Aruba’s Emerson Mercado then got the scoring going with a sacrifice fly, 1-0, Aruba. But that’s all the damage so far. It took 38 pitches from Rivero but Venezuela quashes the threat.
It’s Aruba vs Venezuela in an elimination game at the LLWS
Aruba comes into today’s game with three players Diliano Raven, Emerson Mercado and Anthony Santos that have hit a home run. Also, Aruba is the only team in the 2025 LLWS with three players with at least one home run in Williamsport this year. Meanwhile, Venezuela has shown it can pitch (a.k.a Juan Reyes), who threw two complete games already at LLWS, and proven it can play defense. The question is can Venezuela put together enough offense (just two extra base hits so far in the 2025 LLWS) to win more games in Williamsport.
What time is the 2025 Little League World Series today?
Thursday, Aug. 21
All times Eastern
International Bracket
Game 33: Aruba v. Venezuela: 3 p.m. @ Lamade Stadium
United States bracket
Game 34: Nevada (Mountain) v. South Carolina (Southeast): 7 p.m. @ Lamade
Six teams still in the hunt for the LLWS title, here are the teams left
Chinese Taipei has clinched a spot in Saturday’s 12:30 p.m. ET international championship game on ABC. Their opponent? Well, that will be settled today as Venezuela and Aruba play an elimination game for the other spot in the international championship game.
Connecticut has secured a spot in Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. ET U.S. championship game on ABC. Who will Connecticut play? That answer comes tonight as Nevada and South Carolina have an elimination game showdown for the other spot.
As Day 9 of the Little League World Series gets underway, here’s a look at the modified double-elimination bracket.
How to watch 2025 Little League World Series
The 2025 Little League World Series will be broadcast on ESPN platforms, with the championship game airing on ABC. Games will also be available to stream on ESPN+.
Date: Thursday, Aug. 21
Times: International game, 3 p.m. ET; U.S. game, 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Stream: Fubo
Location: South Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Stream the Little League World Series on Fubo
2025 Little League World Series bracket: Scores, results
For a full list of LLWS results, click here.
United States Bracket
Wednesday, Aug. 20
Game 30: Connecticut (Metro) 7, Nevada (Moutain) 3
Game 32: South Carolina (Southeast) 7, South Dakota (Midwest) 6
Thursday, Aug. 21
Game 34: Nevada (Mountain) v. South Carolina (Southeast): 7 p.m. @ Lamade
Saturday, Aug. 23
Game 36: Connecticut (Metro) v. W34: 3:30 p.m. @ Lamade
International Bracket
Wednesday, Aug. 20
Game 29: Chinese Taipei 7, Venezuela 3
Game 31: Aruba 3, Japan 0
Thursday, Aug. 21
Game 33: Venezuela v. Aruba: 3 p.m. @ Lamade
Saturday, Aug. 23
Game 35: Chinese Taipei v. W33: 12:30 p.m. @ Lamade
Little League World Series Championship/Consolation Games
Sunday, Aug. 24
Game 37 (Third-Place Game): L35 v. L36: 10 a.m. @ Lamade
Game 38 (Championship): W35 v. W36: 3 p.m. @ Lamade
Little League World Series location
The 2025 Little League World Series started on August 13 and concludes on Sunday, Aug. 24, in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The LLWS games are played at Volunteer Stadium and Howard J. Lamade Stadium.