The dream story ended for the Montana Little League team on Saturday as Huntington Beach took the US Championship and advanced to the Little League World Series finals. Montana had been the story of the tournament, racking up three-straight wins while coming out of nowhere to take everyone by surprise. But on Saturday in Williamsport, PA, the little team from Billings didn't quite have enough to down Huntington Beach for the second time in less than a week.
Montana fell behind early and struggled as Huntington Beach teed-off to the tune of 11 runs. The 11-2 final was as lopsided as it seems, but takes nothing away from the run Montana put together at the Little League World Series. Huntington Beach survived its second-straight elimination game, coming back from the brink of extinction in the tournament to advance to the finals.
On the other side of the bracket, Japan downed Mexico, 5-2, to earn the Little League World Series' international title. Mexico had beat Japan once in Williamsport, taking a one-run win in the early rounds. But when it mattered most, Japan came through with its back against the wall, eliminating Mexico to advance to the finals.
Sunday's Little League World Series Championship will be played at 12 p.m. PDT. The game had originally been moved up to 9 a.m. PDT, but was moved back as Hurricane Irene weakened and moved away from Pennsylvania. The game will be broadcast live on ABC.