LAKE MARY, Fla. – The Lake Mary All-Stars won their opening game at the Little League Softball World Series on Sunday, beating the Northwest team from Mill Creek, Washington, 9-2.
Catcher Addison Bono belted a three-run home run in the first inning and drove in six runs for Lake Mary.
This is Lake Mary softball’s first-ever appearance in the LLSWS.
Dozens of supporters, friends and family were at Friendly Confines on Sunday cheering on the Lake Mary Little League 12U Softball team as they took on the Northwest in Greenville, North Carolina.
Karely Lester was there with her family supporting her niece, Rachel Lester, who is on the team.
“It is so exciting,” Lester said. “Especially after they didn’t make it, she played last year too, so this year is even bigger for our family that they’re up there.”
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Lester said the Lake Mary community has always shown up for their girls’ sports teams.
“You look at our teams that are coming up, especially at the high school level, we’re all proud of our athletes — our female athletes here,” Lester said.
And it wasn’t just family showing up, with Little League World Series 2024 champion Teraj Alexander showing his support for the girls on Sunday along with his dad.
Teraj was feeling excited for both teams and feels confident his former teammates can pull off another LLWS title this year.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” Alexander said. “I think they have the power to do it again.”
Next up, Lake Mary is scheduled to play the team from Tulsa, Oklahoma, at 1 p.m. on Monday.
The LLSWS runs from Aug. 3-10.