Hagerstown, Indiana, a town of fewer than 2,000 people, just punched its ticket to the Little League World Series by winning the Great Lakes Regional Championship. The game was a tight one against a team from Kentucky. Early on, Kentucky loaded the bases with two outs after a tough play at second base—ball bounced in and out of the glove—but Indiana escaped the jam with a strikeout on a high fastball. The Indiana pitcher worked smart, mixing his locations and using a natural two-seam run that kept hitters off balance.
The game stayed close, and with the score tied and the go-ahead run at third, a passed ball nearly ended things, but the runner held at third after a smart read. Moments later, another fastball with movement missed its spot, giving Indiana’s defense a chance to close the door. Kentucky couldn’t capitalize, and Hagerstown sealed the win. The final out ignited a full-town celebration. Fathers hugged their sons, the coach held on just a little longer, and the entire community cheered for a team that seemed to be made up of every kid in town.