LAKE MARY, Fla. – Cheers echoed through Friendly Confines Sports Bar on Wednesday as dozens of Lake Mary residents gathered to watch their hometown teams compete in two separate Little League World Series games.
The crowd rode an emotional roller coaster as the defending champion Lake Mary All-Stars baseball team surrendered a four-run lead in the final inning, falling to South Carolina 5-4. But spirits lifted when attention turned to the softball team’s extra-inning battle against Mill Creek, Washington.
“Everybody was really feeling like we thought we were gonna win,” said Liam High, who played on the Lake Mary Juniors team, reflecting on the baseball game. “Still support them always. I mean, they made it super far this year already. And they won last year, you can’t really beat that. So I mean, just big props to them. Keep their heads up.”
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The mood at Friendly Confines transformed from disappointment to jubilation as the softball team, powered by Alana Luu’s four RBIs, secured a thrilling 5-3 victory over Mill Creek. The win avenged an earlier tournament loss and kept their Little League Softball World Series hopes alive.
Families, former champions, and fans packed every corner of the sports bar, creating a stadium-like atmosphere. The celebration grew louder with each Lake Mary hit and defensive play.
“I think it’s so cool that we’re able to watch a local team that we know come out here and do their big one on TV,” said softball fan Camryn Peters, amid the celebration. “Just being able to support them with our family in watching some people we know out there, it’s just really inspiring for everybody.”
The Lake Mary softball faithful won’t have to wait long for their next gathering. The team continues its World Series journey Thursday at 1 p.m., facing either Tulsa, Oklahoma, or Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The game will be broadcast on ESPN from Stallings Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina.
Lake Mary’s softball team, making their first-ever Little League Softball World Series appearance, stands three wins away from bringing home Florida’s first softball championship since 1996.
As always, Friendly Confines in Lake Mary will be the place for locals to gather and watch together.