Vancouver's Little Mountain ends World Series run with loss to Japan

Vancouver's Little Mountain baseball team saw its remarkable run end Wednesday when it lost 7-3 to Japan in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The Canadian squad had won three straight games — a first since 1988 — before falling behind 7-0 after three innings against the Japanese powerhouse. Japan scored four runs in the second inning and three more in the third on a three-run home run by Taiga Yumitori.

Little Mountain's earlier wins included two dramatic elimination-round wins: a victory over Panama on Monday in extra innings, and an upset over South Korea, despite loading the bases in the final inning.

Canada came into Wednesday's game with a 3-1 record, the first time they'd won three games in the tournament since 1988. Their run to this stage marks the furthest Canada has advanced since 2017. Family and friends at Volunteer Stadium held signs reading "why not us?" as the team fought through the first inning scoreless before Japan's late-inning surge ended the bid.

Canada has never won the Little League World Series. Ontario's Stoney Creek team came closest in 1965, reaching the championship game before losing 3-1 to Windsor Locks from Connecticut.