LLWS 2026 Game 23 Recap: Japan 3, Europe-Africa 2
Japan edged Czechia 3-2 in a win-or-go-home showdown at Lamade Stadium. Yunosuke Yabe homered twice and Takeru Yarozu added a solo shot to account for all of Japan’s runs. Yabe and Yarozu also shared pitching duties, combining to strike out 13 batters.
The loss ends Czechia’s tournament run in the Europe-Africa bracket. Japan survives elimination and advances to face Mexico on Tuesday at 1 p.m. The all-or-nothing atmosphere made for a tense, tightly contested game between two pitching-rich rosters.
Yunosuke Yabe Homers Twice to Lead the Way
Yabe provided the bulk of Japan’s offense with a pair of home runs in the win. Takeru Yarozu added a solo shot of his own, and the three combined homers accounted for every run Japan scored in the game. The power surge proved just enough to hold off a resilient Czechia lineup.
A tight, low-scoring affair: With the season on the line for both teams, home runs did nearly all of the scoring. Japan’s ability to match its power at the plate with strong work on the mound proved decisive in a game that came down to the final outs.
Yabe and Yarozu Combine for 13 Strikeouts
Yabe and Yarozu shared the mound for Japan, combining to strike out 13 Czechia batters across the game. The pair allowed just five hits and two runs between them, enough to protect the narrow lead built by their own home runs. Their two-way performance carried Japan through the elimination test.
Czechia’s season ends close: Czechia kept the game within reach until the final outs, finishing with two runs and five hits against Japan’s pitching. The Europe-Africa region representatives’ tournament run comes to a close after the narrow, one-run defeat.
How the Game Unfolded
| Stretch | Key Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Early Innings | Yunosuke Yabe connects for the first of his two home runs. Yabe and Takeru Yarozu keep Czechia’s offense in check on the mound. | JPN 1-2, CZE 0-1 |
| Middle Innings | Takeru Yarozu adds a solo home run of his own. Czechia answers back to stay within striking distance. | JPN 3, CZE 1-2 |
| Final Innings | Yabe and Yarozu combine for 13 strikeouts to close out the elimination win. | Final: JPN 3, CZE 2 |
Game 23 Box Score
| Team | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 3 | TBD | TBD |
| Europe-Africa, Czechia | 2 | 5 | TBD |
| Pitcher | Team | HR | K | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yunosuke Yabe & Takeru Yarozu (combined) | Japan | 5 | 13 | Win |
| Key Hit | Player | Team | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Run | Yunosuke Yabe | Japan | First of two home runs in the win |
| Home Run | Yunosuke Yabe | Japan | Second home run of the game |
| Solo Home Run | Takeru Yarozu | Japan | Accounted for Japan’s third and final run |
Next Games for Japan and Europe-Africa
Japan’s path forward: Joto Little League survives the win-or-go-home elimination game and keeps its tournament alive. Japan now turns its attention to a matchup against Mexico on Tuesday afternoon. Czechia’s run at the 2026 LLWS comes to a close after the narrow defeat.
Conclusion
Japan edged Czechia 3-2 in Game 23 of the 2026 LLWS in a win-or-go-home elimination game. Yunosuke Yabe’s two home runs and Takeru Yarozu’s solo shot accounted for all of Japan’s scoring. Yabe and Yarozu combined to strike out 13 batters to protect the narrow lead.
Japan advances to face Mexico on Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the next round of the elimination bracket. Czechia’s tournament run ends after falling one run short in a tightly contested game. Japan’s two-way stars continue to carry the team deeper into the 2026 field.
