FL – SC endingpic.twitter.com/Fxvb78VFAD
— Joey Yanks (@YanksJoey)August 7, 2025
In between some great games and blown calls during all the regionals today, the one story that really stuck out was one I honestly wanted to wait to write because I thought I was dreaming it and it couldn’t be real.
Leading 4-0 entering the 6th, Lake Mary, Florida (the 2024 LLWS Champions) was already counting their pins and planning their flights to PA. Their pitcher Jacob Brown was cruising to that point but gave up 2 walks and got an out to begin the inning and then had to be pulled because he reached his pitch limit. The Florida relief pitcher gets an out but gives up a single and a walk – loading the bases with a 4-1 lead over Irmo, South Carolina. It’s at that point when things get very interesting or borderline stupid how you look at it.
Before I go any further let me explain that in Little League Lineups, the best hitter often hits 1st or 2nd to maximize their amount of at bats, especially since they have shifted to a rotary lineup where everyone bats. It’s assonine don’t get me started.
Florida is now up 4-1 with the bases loaded two out and South Carolina’s best hitter coming up in the 2 hole. Florida’s manager (who I distinctly remember being a wildcard last year) decides to INTENTIONALLY WALK Irmo’s best hitter making the score 4-2 with 2 outs and the bases still loaded…