Little League World Series scores and bracket 2017: North Carolina throws perfect game

North Carolina came out strong on Friday at the Little League World Series, pitching a combined perfect game in a 6-0 win over South Dakota, highlighting the second day of the tournament, full of blowouts at Williamsport.

Rain played havoc with Friday’s schedule, forcing both the United States and international side of the bracket to play games at the same time, rather than stagger all four games throughout the day as planned.

North Carolina represented the Southeast Region and used three pitchers to retire all 18 batters from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, representing the Midwest. The 6-0 final was the closest game of Friday.

The team from Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., representing the West, took an early lead on Walla Walla, Washington — the Northwest team — thanks to a grand slam. California didn’t allow a hit until the sixth inning in the 9-0 shutout win.

That wasn’t the only early blowout on Friday.

Japan has won three Little League World Series (2012, 2013, 2015) in the last five years, and got off to a great start on Friday. The kids from Tokyo Kitasuna Little League handily beat the team from Sydney, Australia 8-0 in their opener from Volunteer Stadium.

Friday scores

Game 5: Japan 8, Australia 0

Game 6: West 9, Northwest 0

Game 7: Southeast 6, Midwest 0 (perfect game)

Game 8: Asia-Pacific 10, Caribbean 1