Pennsylvania trailed in the bottom of the seventh of the Regional Championship with no hits against Washington DC. DC pitchers had combined for a no-hitter as they tried to punch their ticket to the Little League World Series. The first batter flied out easily. The next batter drew a walk, putting the winning run on first. DC remained hitless. The third batter popped out to second, one out away from extra innings.
Then came number 12, a lefty with power. He fouled off two hard swings in a row. His coach shouted encouragement, telling him to go the other way, to find the middle. On the third pitch, he connected. The ball did not stay in the park. Walk-off homer. No hits all game, then one that mattered most. His dad held up the ball in celebration. The dugout emptied. Players screamed, spun, fist-pumped, and hugged.
Number 11 went wild with spinning celebrations. The coach flexed and embraced the homer hero. Everyone knew what it meant. The no-hitter was gone. So was DC’s chance at Williamsport. Pennsylvania walked it off and punched their ticket to the Little League World Series in dramatic fashion.