SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – In a heart-stopping finish, Lathan Norton scored from second base on an overthrow at first base, leading Lake Mary, Florida to a dramatic 2-1 victory over Taiwan in eight innings to clinch the Little League World Series championship.

Taiwan maintained a slim 1-0 lead from the first inning until the final at-bat by Florida. Despite numerous opportunities, Florida could not cross the plate until the late innings.

The game-changing moment came in the bottom of the sixth when DeMarcos Mieses, after striking out twice earlier, hit a clutch RBI single to tie the game, allowing Chase Anderson to score. The momentum had shifted in favor of the Southeast region team.

In the eighth inning, Lathan Norton’s heroics secured the championship for Florida as he capitalized on an overthrow to score the winning run from second base.

This victory marked Florida’s first Little League World Series championship in nine attempts, showcasing their resilience and determination throughout the tournament.

Taiwan, a historically dominant team at the LLWS, displayed their competitive spirit but fell short in the final moments. Coach Lee Cheng-Ta’s leadership of the Kuei-Shan Little League from Taoyuan, Taiwan, brought the team to the title game, highlighting their remarkable journey in the tournament.

Congratulations to Lake Mary, Florida for their well-deserved victory and to all the teams that made the 2024 Little League World Series an unforgettable event!

By Amanda Vogt, John Curley Center for Sports Journalism, Penn State

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