LLWS 2026 Game 20 Recap: Curaçao 1, Asia-Pacific 0
Curaçao edged South Korea 1-0 in a tense pitchers’ duel at Lamade Stadium. A single first-inning run held up as the game’s only run through the rest of the way. Juriënsly De Windt and Giendry Ryan combined to strike out 10 batters and preserve the shutout.
Curaçao stays unbeaten in the winners’ bracket and moves on to face a hot Nicaragua squad on Wednesday. South Korea drops into the elimination bracket after the tight loss. Neither offense found much room to work after the opening frame.
De Windt and Ryan Combine for 10 Strikeouts
Juriënsly De Windt started for Curaçao and set the tone by keeping South Korea off balance early. Giendry Ryan came on in relief and kept the shutout intact the rest of the way. Together, the pair struck out 10 South Korean batters across the full seven innings of work.
Curaçao’s pitching depth: The combined shutout marks another strong outing for Curaçao’s pitching staff, which has leaned on multiple arms throughout the tournament. Their ability to protect a single run for a full game reflects the same pitching depth that carried the team through the winners’ bracket so far.
One Run Is All Curaçao Needs
Curaçao scratched across the game’s only run in the bottom of the first inning. Neither team found another opportunity to score for the rest of the game. South Korea’s pitching staff kept the game close but could not manufacture a single run of its own against Curaçao’s arms.
South Korea’s quiet offense: South Korea had come into the game after a lopsided 7-0 win in its tournament opener, but the bats went cold against Curaçao. The Asia-Pacific squad now shifts to the elimination bracket, where it must win out to keep its championship hopes alive.
How the Game Unfolded, Inning by Inning
| Inning | Key Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Curaçao scratches across the game’s only run. Juriënsly De Windt takes the mound and settles in against South Korea’s lineup. | CUR 1, AP 0 |
| 2nd–5th | De Windt and Giendry Ryan trade zeros with South Korea’s pitching staff. Neither offense finds another scoring chance. | CUR 1, AP 0 |
| 6th–7th | Ryan closes out the shutout, combining with De Windt for 10 strikeouts on the day. Curaçao holds on for the 1-0 win. | Final: CUR 1, AP 0 |
Game 20 Box Score
| Team | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curaçao | 1 | TBD | TBD |
| Asia-Pacific, South Korea | 0 | TBD | TBD |
| Pitcher | Team | K |
|---|---|---|
| Juriënsly De Windt & Giendry Ryan (combined) | Curaçao | 10 |
Next Games for Curaçao and Asia-Pacific
| Team | Bracket | Next Game |
|---|---|---|
| Curaçao | Winners’ Bracket | Wednesday, August 26 vs. Nicaragua |
| Asia-Pacific, South Korea | Elimination Bracket | Must win every game to survive |
Curaçao’s path forward: Pariba Little League stays unbeaten and remains in the winners’ bracket after the shutout win. Curaçao now turns its attention to a matchup against a scorching-hot Nicaragua squad. South Korea must regroup quickly in the elimination bracket to keep its tournament alive.
Conclusion
Curaçao edged South Korea 1-0 in Game 20 of the 2026 LLWS on a single first-inning run. Juriënsly De Windt and Giendry Ryan combined to strike out 10 batters in the shutout. Curaçao stays unbeaten and advances to face Nicaragua in the winners’ bracket.
South Korea drops into the elimination bracket after the tight loss and must now win out. The tense, low-scoring game stood in contrast to South Korea’s lopsided 7-0 win in its tournament opener. Curaçao’s pitching depth continues to carry the team through the international bracket.
