Curaçao is once again on top of the Little League baseball world. Behind a powerful offensive attack and another impressive performance from its pitching staff, Curaçao defeated Nevada 11-2 on Sunday to win the Little League World Series championship in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Juriënsly De Windt and Shardijon De Lanoi each drove in three runs as Curaçao’s Pariba Little League from Willemstad captured its second championship in tournament history. Curaçao previously won the title in 2004.
The victory capped an unbeaten run through the double-elimination tournament and gave Curaçao another memorable championship after previous trips to the final in 2005, 2019, 2022 and 2023.
The championship game did not begin the way Curaçao hoped. Nevada, representing the United States, jumped in front early and appeared ready to challenge Curaçao’s dominant pitching staff. After Michael Kleiner laid down a bunt, Maddox Bryan lined a single into center field, bringing home two runs and giving Nevada a 2-0 advantage.
Nevada fans along the first-base line celebrated the early breakthrough with signs, including one featuring World War II icon Rosie the Riveter dedicated to Carsynn Meyer.
Meyer made history during Nevada’s semifinal victory over Ohio, becoming the first girl to record a hit in the U.S. championship game. She went 0-for-2 against Curaçao.
The early deficit, however, did little to shake Curaçao. De Lanoi delivered a two-run single when his line drive glanced off the glove of a diving Kleiner at second base, tying the game and shifting the momentum.
After tying the game, Curaçao’s bats continued to produce. Jaymiëll Martina gave the international champions their first lead for good in the fourth inning, lining a two-run double that put Curaçao ahead.
De Windt then delivered the decisive blow in the fifth. The Curaçao pitcher and standout hitter lined a bases-clearing double, bringing three runs across the plate and sending the team’s supporters into a frenzy.
The Curaçao radio broadcast team, which had helped lead the crowd in the country’s national anthem before the game, erupted as the international champions pulled further away.
De Windt and De Lanoi each finished with three RBIs, providing much of the offensive firepower behind Curaçao’s championship performance.
De Windt also started on the mound and battled through three innings, allowing two runs — only one of them earned. Once he left the game, Curaçao’s relief pitchers took control.
Giendry Ryan and Steven Felix combined for nearly flawless work over the final three innings. Ryan struck out four batters in 2⅓ innings, keeping Nevada’s offense from mounting any type of comeback.
Felix came in to finish the championship game and retired Nevada’s final batter, who popped the ball up toward center field. Ryan settled underneath it and made the catch.
That was the moment the celebration began. Ryan immediately tossed his glove into the air before being mobbed by his teammates in the outfield. Curaçao’s infielders sprayed one another with water while fans behind the third-base dugout waved the Curaçao flag.
Curaçao’s support grew throughout its run in the tournament. As the team continued to win, fans from across the United States began embracing the international champions. Many spectators wore Curaçao’s distinctive navy blue and yellow hats, with some hats covered in signatures from the young players who were happy to meet fans throughout the week.
That support became even louder Sunday as Curaçao turned an early 2-0 deficit into an 11-2 championship victory.
For the players from Pariba Little League in Willemstad, the win represents another historic chapter for one of the Little League World Series’ most successful international programs.
Curaçao’s previous championship came in 2004, and the country had returned to the final several times without being able to finish the job. After reaching the championship game in 2005, 2019, 2022 and 2023, Curaçao finally added another title to its history.
Nevada, meanwhile, finished as the runner-up for the second consecutive year. The Nevada team also reached last year’s championship game before falling to Taiwan.
This time, it was Curaçao’s turn to celebrate. As the final out settled into Ryan’s glove, the players poured onto the field, flags waved in the stands and the championship belonged to Curaçao once again.
