The group from Irmo, South Carolina, is headed to Williamsport for the first time. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
(Dylan Buell via Getty Images)
A team from South Carolina is headed to Williamsport for the first time, thanks to a wild walk-off win over the defending Little League World Series champions.
A group from Irmo, South Carolina, knocked off the group from Lake Mary, Florida, in stunning fashion on Wednesday. Florida took a 4-0 lead into the final inning, but pitcher Jacob Brown opened with a pair of walks and then hit his pitch limit after securing one out. His relief pitcher gave up a single before two more walks, one of which was intentional, to bring up Brady Westbrooks.
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Westbrooks then hit a two-out, three-RBI double with a deep line drive to the left-field wall to steal the 5-4 win, which sparked a massive celebration on the field.
Florida was a perfect 3-0 in their regional until Wednesday and had outscored opponents 26-1. They rolled over South Carolina 14-0 when they played on Sunday, too.
Florida beat Chinese Taipei 2-1 in extra innings to win the Little League World Series last year. The tournament hasn’t seen a back-to-back champion since Tokyo pulled it off in 2012 and 2013.
The Little League World Series will open on Aug. 13. The U.S. and International Championship games are scheduled for Aug. 23, and the World Series Championship will take place Aug. 24.
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The Seattle Mariners and New York Mets will participate in the Little League Classic on Aug. 17 at Bowman Field in Williamsport.