The Little League World Series returns with a 20-team field that will compete for the international title.
The Smithfield, Rhode Island, Little League team won 3-1 in their first game of the Little League World Series on Wednesday.
They defeated Henderson, Nevada, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and will now play their next game on Friday.
Taking the mound for Rhode Island was 12-year-old Connor Curtis, who hit three home runs and had 14 strikeouts to defeat Connecticut in last week's regionals. On Wednesday, he struck out 15 of the 16 batters he faced before getting pulled with two outs left in the game.
"He's excited, he was missing home for a little bit and now I think he's finally calmed down and realizing what an experience it is, I think it's awesome it's gonna be great for all of them," Connor's mom, Melissa Curtis, told WJAR before the game. "They're having fun, I'm getting pictures and missing him."
Events in Williamsport kicked off earlier this week with a Grand Slam Parade, where the Rhode Island team hopped on its own float and traveled through the streets downtown. Residents back home in Smithfield held a "Rhode Island to Williamsport" pep rally to raise money and show support for the local team.
The tournament runs from Aug. 16-27. In all, there are 20 teams -- 10 from the U.S. and 10 international teams. A team from Maine is also competing in the Little League World Series. They are scheduled to take on Seattle, Washington, at 3 p.m. Thursday.
Click here for our full guide to the 2023 Little League World Series.
