Pabao Little League from Willemstad, Curaçao, has officially punched its ticket to Williamsport for the 2019 Little League Baseball® World Series as the Caribbean Region Champions following a victory over fellow hometown team, Pariba Little League, by a score of 8-3.

This will be the 13th team from Curaçao to make the trip to Williamsport, and the ninth time Pabao Little League qualifies for the Little League Baseball World Series since its first trip in 1980.

In 2004 and 2005, Jurickson Profar of the Oakland Athletics had the opportunity to compete in the Little League Baseball World Series as a part of Pabao Little League. Those teams advanced to the World Series Championship Game in both years, capturing the banner in 2004. This year, Profar’s youngest brother, Judrick, will be part of the team that is representing the Caribbean Region. It is believed to be the second time that three brothers have made the trip to Williamsport, with their middle brother, Juremi, making the journey in 2007 and 2008. The Hill brothers from Grosse Pointe Woods-Shores Little League in Michigan are believed to be the first.

Pabao Little League will open the 2019 Little League Baseball World Series against Australia Region Champions Cronulla Little League on Thursday, August 15 at 1 p.m. in Volunteer Stadium. Spanning the course of 10 days, 32 games will be played in the 2019 Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, culminating in the Championship Game, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 25. For more information on the 2019 Little League Baseball World Series, visit LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries

Pariba Little League advanced to the Caribbean Region Championship Game after defeating the Aruba South Little League, with Pabao Little League defeating Havana Little League from Cuba in their semifinal game. In the country’s first year affiliated with Little League, the team from Cuba bounced back from an opening round loss to Pariba, and didn’t lose another game until falling to the eventual champions. The team was honored with the sportsmanship award at the completion of the tournament. During the tournament in Willemstad, the team from Cuba, as well as the other 10 Little League teams that competed, had a memorable experience that created lifelong memories and friendships.