Toms River Wraps Up Incredible Little League Softball World Series Journey
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August 10, 2026Toms River Wraps Up Incredible Little League Softball World Series Journey
CONGRATULATIONS
Toms River finished an incredible run at the 2026 Little League Softball World Series with a 4th place finish!
GREENVILLE, NC — After 10 unforgettable days, six games and memories that will last a lifetime, the Toms River Little League Softball All-Stars are heading home.
The team wrapped up its impressive run at the Little League Softball World Series in North Carolina with a third-place consolation game that aired on ESPN. Although the outcome wasn’t what Toms River had hoped for, the 12 girls gave it everything they had throughout the tournament as they chased a World Series championship.
Toms River fell to Florida, 5-4, on Sunday in a hard-fought game where the team refused to give up. Florida managed to come through with the key hits when it mattered most.
With the score tied 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Kylie Green delivered a single to center field, allowing Avery Little to cross the plate with the winning run and giving Florida the victory.
Even in defeat, Toms River made Florida work for every run and never made it an easy game.
The Ocean County 12U All-Stars jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening inning, capitalizing on two Florida errors. Leadoff hitter Analeise Curley reached base on an error, and Aviana Gay followed with a bunt that resulted in an errant throw, putting runners on first and second. Jaelyn Brown then delivered a single to center, bringing Curley home. Gay later crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Briella Bognar, giving Toms River an early two-run advantage before Florida ended the inning.
Florida answered in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs to take a 3-2 lead. The inning began with a leadoff single. After Toms River recorded two outs, Florida tied the game when a fly ball dropped into left field. Two more runs came across following an error at first base. Toms River finally ended the inning when Franki Velardi fielded a ground ball at shortstop and made the throw to first for the final out.
Toms River quickly regained the lead in the top of the fourth. Brown drew a walk and came around to score on a double by Juliana Florek-Doslik, aggressively rounding the bases before sliding safely under the tag. Leiana Gay followed with a single to center, allowing Florek-Doslik to score and putting Toms River ahead 4-3. The team was unable to add to its lead before the inning ended.
Florida evened the score in the bottom of the fourth inning. Their center fielder reached safely on a ground ball and eventually came around to score after the umpire called catcher’s interference on Leiana Gay during a throw to the plate. It was the third catcher’s interference call of the game involving catchers from both teams.
Florida threatened again in the fifth inning, but Toms River quickly shut it down. Franki Velardi recorded the first out by throwing out the leadoff batter. Florida’s second hitter followed with a single and moved to second on a passed ball. Mischa Koeppen then made a spectacular diving catch in center field. She followed it by throwing out the runner, who had left second base before the catch, completing a double play and ending the inning.
The Toms River team was scheduled to return home to New Jersey on Monday, according to a family member.
