The 2014 Little World Series is complete. South Korea prevailed as champions while defending champ Japan took third place.
Jackie Robinson West, from the south side of Chicago, fell shy of winning it all in Sunday's Little League World Series finale. They did take the United States' side of the bracket after beating Nevada on Saturday.
By winning the U.S. bracket, Jackie Robinson West became the first team from Chicago to reach the LLWS final since North Roseland in 1967. The kids that played in that game are in their 60s now.
After the game, the sportsmanship that defines the Little League World Series was readily apparent as the players met at home plate to shake hands and teach each other some sort of awesome Little League secret handshake.
Chicago falls to South Korea, finishes second
Jackie Robinson West fell, 8-4, to South Korea in the LLWS championship game, but the team still boasts the American title. After a four-run top of the sixth, the South Korean club looked to be well on its way to an easy win, but Chicago wouldn't go quietly. It pushed across three runs in the bottom half of the final frame, but it proved to be too little, too late.
The Little Leaguers from Chicago got plenty of love for their performance on Twitter, including encouragement from President Obama, both of Chicago's MLB teams, the Bulls and even Bears running back Matt Forte.
Shout out to #LLWS U.S. champions, Chicago's own Jackie Robinson West All-Stars. You made your city and country proud.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 24, 2014Congrats to Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West on a U.S. title and one heck of a run to the #LLWS. We're proud of you. pic.twitter.com/9deaGPN3v0
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 24, 2014#JRW, we're so proud of your heart, determination, spirit & sportsmanship. Congratulations on a great season. #ChicagoPride#LLWS
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 24, 2014Thank you, #JRW. You have made Chicago proud! #LLWS
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) August 24, 2014Great run #JRW you guys have a lot to be proud of. Hold your heads up. pic.twitter.com/icdaUh7vyu
— Matt Forte (@MattForte22) August 24, 2014Japan bests Nevada, takes third place
Japan, whose entrant in the 2013 Little League World Series won the title, finished third this time around thanks to a huge day from starting pitcher Takuma Takahashi. Takahashi dominated all six innings on the mound for Japan, striking out 11 with no walks and allowing just three hits. He also helped out his own cause by picking up two hits -- one a solo homer -- but he didn't literally beat Nevada on his own, although it may have looked like it. Outfielder Keisuke Hirano had two hits and drove in two runs.