Little League World Series 2016 Schedule, Results and Live Stream – Panama Undefeated, New York and Tennessee Play for U.S. Title

By Jose Serrano First Posted: Aug 26, 2016 12:36 PM EDT

The road to the Little League World Series Championship ends this weekend as Panama and South Korea play for the international title while New York and Tennessee vie for U.S. bragging rights.

Panama and New York remain the tournament's only undefeated teams.

The kids from Maine-Endwell, N.Y., representing the Mid-Atlantic region, stamped their ticket to the U.S. Championship game by beating Bowling Green, Ky., on Wednesday, 13-10. New York gave Kentucky an early three-run lead - a tournament first for the northeast team - but rallied behind Jude Abbadessa's big night.

Abbadessa notched six RBI on five hits, including a crucial two-run home run that game Maine-Endwell their first lead.

New York plays Tennessee on Saturday afternoon, days after defeating the Southeast Regional champs, 3-1. The Goodlettsville, Tenn., club advanced much like New York did: by defeating Kentucky.

R.J. Millers' two scoreless innings pitched and Zach McWilliams' fifth-inning grand slam were more than enough to bring Tennessee within a victory of the world title game.

Panama Looks to Break Through

Since 2000, Latin America's Little League World Series representative has either been Panama or Venezuela.

The Panamanian boys from Aguadulce, who previously made trips to Williamsburg in 2012 and 2013, have never come closer than the international semifinal.

Panama faces a familiar rival Saturday in South Korea, the Asia-Pacific region champ they edged out Wednesday night. South Korea pitchers had not given up a single run heading into the international matchup.

Esmith Pineda put an end to the streak with a stunning three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth that gave the Latin American champions a 3-2 lead.

Their rematch comes following South Korea's shutout of Mexico, 7-0, on Thursday night.