SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) Jae Yeong Hwang hit a go-ahead home run in the sixth inning, and South Korea held off Japan 4-2 in the Little League World Series on Wednesday.
South Korea moves on to Saturday's International Championship, game where it will face the winner of Thursday's elimination game between Japan and Mexico.
On a 1-2 pitch, Hwang hit a solo shot to right field. Hwang also pitched the bottom of the sixth for South Korea, earning the save and sealing the win.
Dong Wan Sin added an extra run with an RBI single, scoring Dong Hwan Ahn.
South Korea had early trouble hitting Japanese pitcher Takuma Takahashi, who struck out the first eight batters he faced.
Hae Chan Choi broke Takahashi's no-hitter and rhythm with a two-run home run in the second inning. The homer also scored Gyu Heon Kwon, who reached base on a dropped third strike.
