Tokyo beats Tennessee 12-2 for Little League World Series title

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Noriatsu Osaka hit three homers and tripled, and Tokyo limited Goodlettsville, Tenn., to two hits in a 12-2 victory Sunday in the Little League World Series world-championship game.

Tokyo starter Kotaro Kiyomiya, who had a fastball clocked in the high-70 mph range, struck out eight in four innings and added an RBI single.

The game ended in the fifth inning after Osaka's third homer resulted in a 10-run margin.

Teams from Japan have won eight Little League titles, including two in the last three years.

Tennessee pounded out a 24-16, seven-inning victory over Petaluma, Calif., in Saturday's U.S. championship game.

By The Associated Press