The second day of the 2017 Little League World Series featured some history Friday, as three pitchers from the Southeast team (Greenville, N.C.) combined to record the tournament's first perfect game since 2008 in a 6-0 victory over the Midwest (Sioux Falls, S.D.).
Chase Anderson got the ball rolling in Southeast's perfecto, pitching the first three innings while striking out four and recording a 73 percent strike rate. Matthew Matthijs took the baton and recorded 2 2/3 clean frames before handing off to Carson Hardee, who struck out Midwest's final batter to seal the historic win.
The victors generated most of their offense with four runs in the third inning. Thomas Barrett and Drew Fields led the way with two hits apiece.
According to ESPN Stats and Information, Mexico's Jesus Sauceda recorded the last perfect game in Little League World Series history in a four-inning victory over Italy nine years ago. It was the Series' fifth perfect game since 1970, and the first involving teams from the United States.
Here is what took place in the rest of Friday's action in Williamsport, Pa.:
Japan 8, Australia 0
The first shutout of the LLWS came at the hands of Japan (Tokyo Kitasuna) in a combined effort from four pitchers to top Australia (Sydney, New South Wales).
Starter Tsubasa Tomii struck out three over three one-hit innings, while Riku Goto, Ryutu Konno and Keitaro Miyahara combined to strike out seven with just one walk and hit over the final three frames.
Japan scored in each of their five frames. Seiyi Arai singled home a run in the first, while Rei Ichisawa and Natsuki Yajima each scored on a wild pitches in the following two innings. Ryuto Inoue added a run in the fourth on a passed ball before Japan added four more runs in the fifth thanks to a double by Ichisawa and a single by Ryusei Fujiwara.
West 9, Northwest 0
West (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) came out firing on Friday and held Northwest (Walla Walla, Wash.) to one hit in a shutout victory.
West right-hander Bobby Gray nearly went the distance, striking out seven batters over 5 1/3 innings on 88 pitches. The only hit he gave up -- a single by first baseman Andrew Hall -- came on his final batter of the day.
Joey Gray, Bobby's twin brother, led the way offensively with a grand slam, walk and RBI single for West. Center fielder Drew Rutter also scored three runs, while shortstop Mason Kellerman scored twice and drove in a run on a fifth-inning single.
Asia-Pacific 10, Caribbean 1
Asia-Pacific (Seoul, South Korea) pulled ahead with a three-run home run by Dongheon Kim in the third inning and didn't look back, cruising to a 10-1 opening-game victory over the Caribbean (Dominican Republic).
Kyum Ahn earned the win for Asia-Pacific after allowing just one unearned run and striking out four over 2 2/3 innings of relief. SeongHyeon Lee started the game by allowing just one unearned run over 2 1/3 innings of work.
Jinwon Shin enjoyed a two-homer day, as he cleared the wall in the fourth and fifth innings. Yejoon Khym also hit a fifth-inning dinger in Asia-Pacific's runaway victory.
Saturday's schedule (all times ET)
Mexico vs. Europe-Africa, 1 p.m.
Mid-Atlantic vs. Great Lakes, 3 p.m.
TBD vs. TBD, 6 p.m.
TBD vs. TBD, 8 p.m.