UTSUNOMIYA, JAPAN: The United States beat Japan 2-1 in the final of the Under-18 baseball World Cup on Sunday.

The US scored both runs in the third inning at Koshien Stadium. A throwing error to third base allowed Blake Rutherford to score from second, and Michael Amditis then doubled down the right-field line scoring McKenzie Moniak.

Japan scored a run in the sixth inning but couldn't stage a comeback before the home fans.

Nicholas Pratto picked up the win after holding Japan to one run on six hits over 6-1/3 innings. Reg Jefferson-Lawson recorded the final five outs for the save.

The game was a replay of the 2013 final in which the U.S. beat Japan 3-2 in Taichung, Taiwan.