The Little League Softball World Series inches closer to the final as four teams were eliminated from contention on Tuesday, Aug. 5 and four more kept their championship hopes alive.
Day 4 featured two more win-or-go-home games.
The action started with an Orange bracket match between Cantareira of São Paulo, Brazil vs. Floyds Knobs Community Club of Indiana. Indiana would go on to win that matchup in a 2-0 pitcher’s duel. That game was followed up with an extra innings thriller that saw Florida defeat Washington for the second time this tournament. Florida scored four runs in the top of the seventh, and Washington could not match. Florida advanced with a 5-3 win.
Each of the winners play again Friday, while the losers have been eliminated.
Little League Softball World Series scores today
Orange Bracket: Indiana 2, Brazil 0
Purple Bracket: Florida 5, Washington 3
FINAL: Florida 5, Washington 3
It took a while for both teams’ offenses to get going in this one, but once the floodgates opened, it was mayhem, with all eight runs in this game coming in the final three innings. Starters Penelope Gahan (Washington) and Cayden Hugh (Florida) were outstanding all game long. Gahan tossed over 100 pitches on the day, and although she ultimately took the loss, it wasn’t until the seventh inning when Florida started to figure her out.
The bottom of the seventh inning saw Washington score two runs, but after both runs scored, the bases were empty and there were two outs. Hugh would walk Daphnee Calsyn, bringing the tying run to the plate. Liliana Delgado would fly out to end the game though.
Washington was eliminated from the tournament with the loss, with both of their losses coming against Florida. Florida advances to the purple bracket semifinals on Friday, August 8. They’ll face the losers of the matchup between Oklahoma and Virginia, scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 7.
Florida score four in rollercoaster inning
The seventh inning started off with a ghost runner on second. Florida would sac bunt to move the runner to third. After a ground ball to third base caught the runner in between third and home, it looked like Florida’s hopes were doomed. Two outs, runner on first. How were they going to score?
Well, a walk and single would do just that, bringing home the go-ahead run. However, Florida wasn’t done. An overthrow on the throw home would push the leftover runners to second and third. A walk to Faith Miller would load the bases for Alana Luu who drove in Florida’s first run of the game.
Washington would make a pitching change after the walk, moving Penelope Gahan to the outfield and moving Anya Miller to the circle to record one more out.
Miller’s first pitch was a high fastball that got past the catcher. Luckily, no runners advanced. However, just three pitches later, Luu would offer a bases-clearing triple, extending Florida’s lead to four runs, going 3-for-4 on the day with arguably the two most important hits.
The inning would end without Luu coming home after a terrific play at shortstop, but the damage had been done. Washington needs four runs to stay alive. It’s 5-1 Florida.
Extra innings up next
For the bottom of the sixth, Florida’s ace Cayden Hugh returned to the circle and she was just as dominant, tossing a three-up, three-down inning, pushing this game to extra innings. We’re tied at 1 apiece as we head into free softball at Stallings Stadium.
Washington answers quickly
Washington had been held without a hit through four innings, but there was a different aura in the air heading into the fifth. Washington led the inning off with their first hit from Daphnee Calsyn, who would come around to score on a double from Liliana Delgado.
Although Delgado would get tagged out trying to stretch the double into a triple, those two hits were more than enough to shift the momentum back to an even playing field. It’s now knotted again at 1-1 with one out in the bottom of the fifth.
Florida finally breaks through
Florida had recorded a few hits and walks throughout this game, but had failed to put any runs on the board, constantly threatening, never coming through. However, that changed in the fifth inning. After getting Rachel Lester to third base with two outs, a walk would put runners on the corners. Florida had struggled in this situation all game, but a base knock from Alana Luu, the same player who prevented Washington’s first hit with a great play from right field, would drive in the runner, giving Florida a crucial 1-0 lead.
Florida would continue threatening, putting runners on second and third but the inning would end before any more runs scored. Still, in what has been a defensive masterclass from both teams, one run may be more than enough to secure the victory.
Florida 9-3 play prevents Washington’s first hit
Through 2.2 innings, the Washington offense had yet to record a hit. However, that streak appeared to be broken when Kaitlyn Stetich smacked the ball to right field. However, right fielder Faith Miller was having none of that launching the ball to first base as soon as she could and nailing the runner at first.
Miller’s heads up play keeps the no-hitter intact. Florida clearly has the defense to win this one. Now they just need their bats to come alive as we head into the fourth inning still scoreless
Rain expected to cease soon
It’s been a lengthy delay at Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park, but the game between Florida and Washington should resume soon. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 100% chance of rain through 3 p.m. local time, but that percentage drops to a measly 10% soon after 3 p.m. There is still a chance for rain and thunderstorms, and so long as thunder and lightning are in the area, the game will not resume, but it should mostly dissipate within the next half hour.
When the tilt picks back up, Florida will look to put the first run of the game on the board. They currently have a runner in scoring position with two outs in the top of the third.
Tarp comes out as rain falls
Heavy rainfall is putting a damper on these outstanding pitching performances thus far. The top of the third inning will have to wait as Florida, with three hits to their name and a runner in scoring position, looks to finally put a run on the board.
Washington evades a jam of their own
After a leadoff walk, Washington was in danger of surrendering the first run of the game after a comebacker went off the glove of Washington pitcher Penelope Gahan, enabling two runners to reach base. However, a good play at short soon after prevented the runners from advancing. From there, Gahan got the final Florida hitter to pop out, ending the inning and the Florida threat. It’s still 0-0.
Washington-Florida remains scoreless through one
Washington had a good chance to score in the bottom of the first, drawing two walks in the inning, but Florida held tough, forcing the final out of the inning after a rousing pep talk from assistant coach John Miller. This elimination game remains scoreless.
FINAL: Indiana 2, Brazil 0
Indiana’s Briley Mercer was a force in the circle for her team. She tossed a six-inning complete game on 85 pitches with 54 of them strikes. Overall, she had eight strikeouts and retired 17 of the 21 batters she faced on Wednesday. Indiana, playing for a third straight day, wins its second straight elimination game and now gets a day off. Indiana returns to action at 7 p.m. on ESPN2 on Friday, August 8 against the loser of North Carolina vs Japan, which play Thursday, August 7.
Light rain has started, but play continues for now
With Indiana batting, light rain started in Greenville, North Carolina. Indiana got a runner on via a hit and a hit by pitch and a wild pitch put runners in scoring position. However, Brazil’s Dani Fugisaki defused the one-out threat with a strikeout and a line out to close out the fifth inning.
Brazil poises a scoring threat
Brazil’s starting pitcher, Dani Fugisaki, launched a towering shot to left field that bounce on the warning track and hit the fence. She was able to get to second base with one out. But Indiana’s Briley Merce got out of the inning with a pop up from the next batter. After the top of the fifth inning, 2-0, Indiana still.
Indiana (almost) gets another run
With two outs and a runner on third in the bottom of the fourth inning, Indiana’s Kennedy Nickels blasts a fly ball to center field. The runner on third, Scarlett Runn, left third base a little early. Brazil seized the opportunity to appeal and won.
Brazil goes down 1-2-3 in the top of the fourth inning
Indiana’s Briley Mercer got the first batter out with a strikeout and then a batter was out after a bunt attempt hit her outside the batter’s box. The final out was a ground out. 2-0 Indiana still. Mercer has amassed five strikeouts.
Indiana adds another run
A fielding error with two out allow a runner to score pushing the Indiana lead to 2-0 after bottom of the 3rd inning.
Indiana’s Mercer racking up the strikeouts
Mercer has struck out at least one batter in every inning so far and now has four strikeouts for the game as her team still leads 1-0 after the top of the third inning.
Indiana strikes first
After Brazil stranded a runner on second base in the top of the second inning, Indiana’s Reese Carroll gets an RBI-single to left field giving Indiana a 1-0 lead after two innings. It was Carroll’s first hit of the LLSWS, according to ESPN.
Indiana strands a runner at second base
Indiana gets a one-out double but can’t move the runner beyond that. After first inning, 0-0.
Indiana’s Briley Mercer cruises in the first inning
Mercer struck out two of the three batters she faced to keep Brazil off the scoreboard.
4 teams have their season on the line, first up Indiana vs Brazil
The first elimination game on Wednesday features Latin America Region champion Cantareira Little League from São Paulo, Brazil and Central Region champion Floyds Knobs Community Club Little League from Floyds Knobs, Indiana
How to watch 2025 Little League Softball World Series
The 2025 Little League Softball World Series will be broadcast on ESPN platforms, with the championship game airing on ABC. Games will also be available to stream on ESPN+.
Dates: Aug. 3-10
TV: ESPN | ESPN2 | ABC
Stream: ESPN+
Location: Greenville, North Carolina
Watch the 2025 LLSWS on ESPN+
2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 4 schedule
Wednesday, Aug. 6
All times Eastern
Game 13 (Orange bracket): Latin America region: Cantareira (São Paulo, Brazil) vs. Central region: Floyds Knobs Community Club (Indiana), 10 a.m. | ESPN2
Game 14 (Purple bracket): Northwest region: Mill Creek (Washington) vs. Southeast region: Lake Mary (Florida) 1 p.m. | ESPN2
2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 3 results
Tuesday, Aug. 5
Game 9: Mill Creek, Washington (Northwest) 10, Westchester-Del Rey Los Angeles (West) 0
Game 10: São Paulo, Brazil (Latin America) 10, vs. Repentigny, Quebec (Canada)1
Game 11: Floyds Knobs, Indiana (Central) 4, Prague, Czechia (Europe-Africa) 1
Game 12: Lake Mary, Florida (Southeast) 9, Guilford, Connecticut (New England) 0
2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 2 results
Monday, Aug. 4
Game 5: Pitt County (North Carolina) 5, Floyds Knobs, Indiana (Central) 3
Game 6: Tulsa, Oklahoma (Southwest) 2, Lake Mary, Florida (Southeast) 1
Game 7: Johnstown, Pennsylvania (Mid-Atlantic) 9, Westchester-Del Rey Los Angeles (West) 0
Game 8: Iwate, Japan (Asia-Pacific) 6, Repentigny, Quebec (Canada)1
2025 Little League Softball World Series Day 1 results
Sunday, Aug. 3
Game 1: Lake Mary, Florida (Southeast) 9, Mill Creek, Washington (Northwest) 2
Game 2: Pitt County (North Carolina) 4, São Paulo, Brazil (Latin America) 3
Game 3: Repentigny, Quebec 5 (Canada), Prague, Czechia (Europe-Africa) 4
Game 4: Johnstown, Pennsylvania ( Mid-Atlantic) 2, Guilford, Connecticut (New England) 1