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The Little League World Series officially got underway on Wednesday, and hits are apparently very hard to come by.
In the first game of the tournament, Panama pitchers combined to no-hit the Czech Republic in their 4-0 - in just the third game, Japan had a combined no-no of their own over Cuba in a 1-0 victory (Japan had one hit themselves). The Panama no-hitter featured their own version of Shohei Ohtani, however.
All four of Panama's runs were driven in by Omar Vargas, thanks to his fourth inning grand slam. But that was just a smidgen of Vargas' Wednesday dominance in Williamsport.
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A general view before the 2021 Little League World Series at Howard J Lamade Stadium on Saturday, August 28, 2021 in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Hunter Martin/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Vargas also started on the hill for Team Panama and struck out 12 batters.
Even more impressive is that he only pitched four innings — that means every out he recorded was a strikeout.
Vargas threw 53 pitches, which means he will not be able to take the mound again until Sunday. If Panama defeats Latin America (San Francisco Little League in Maracaibo, Venezuela) on Friday, they will be off until Monday, giving Vargas four days of rest.
A general view of the Lamade Stadium following the U.S. Championship game of the Little League World Series at Lamade Stadium on August 26, 2017 in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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However, if they lose, Vargas may have to pitch on three-day rest on Sunday to keep their season alive. Pitchers must get four days of rest if they throw at least 66 pitches, making Vargas eligible if necessary for the weekend.
Panama had long been part of the Latin American region for Little League but received its own bid last year. But according to Little League, they will have to earn a trip through the Latin American tournament again next year before receiving a direct entry in 2025 and 2026.
This year's Panama squad, from Activo 20-30 Little League in Santiago de Veraguas, earned their Little League World Series berth way back in February.
Japan's lone hit was an RBI single in the first inning, and much like Panama, Japan had their own dominant starter on the mound. Hinata Uchigaki, who stands at 5'10" at just 12 years old, struck out 13 in his five frames of no-hit ball.
In the tournament's first three games, there were just 10 hits total.
A general view of the hill during the Southwest Region team from River Ridge Louisiana against the Caribbean Region team from Willemstad, Curacao during the Championship Game of the Little League World Series at Lamade Stadium on August 25, 2019 in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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Former MLB player Ruben Tejada played in the Little League World Series in 2001 representing Santiago de Veraguas Little League. Tampa Bay Rays' Christian Bethancourt was a member of the 2004 Panama team.
Japan is looking for their first title since 2017, and their 12th overall.