Recap: Florida holds off South Dakota in Little League World Series opener

South Dakota begins its Little League World Series journey at 6 p.m. (CT) Wednesday against Florida, which is representing the Southeast region. ESPN will air the opener. Sioux Falls reached the LLWS in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, by going 4-1 in Midwest region play.

Follow here for live updates, analysis and commentary from Wednesday's opener.

Watch Sioux Falls in the 2024 LLWS live on ESPN

South Dakota vs. Florida in 2024 LLWS: Live score updates, highlights

FINAL: Florida 2, South Dakota 1

Solid showing from Sioux Falls, but Florida’s JJ Feliciano was too much on the mound. South Dakota will play again at 2 p.m. Saturday in an elimination game on ESPN.

Bottom 6: (Florida 2, South Dakota 1)

What an outing for Florida’s JJ Feliciano. He’s out after reaching the pitch limit. Final line: 5 1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 10 K. He threw 54 strikes on 82 pitches.

Top 6: (Florida 2, South Dakota 1)

Another defensive gem from South Dakota. Left fielder Tait Ready throws out a man at third to keep Florida from adding on. But can they crack JJ Feliciano?

Bottom 5: (Florida 2, South Dakota 1)

Another threat from South Dakota, putting two on with one out. But JJ Feliciano shuts it down from there. He has nine strikeouts over five innings.

Top 5: (Florida 2, South Dakota 1)

Florida breaks through with a big inning. Two walks and two singles — the last via Liam Morrisey — get Florida on the board. Then comes the lead on Luis Carlo’s sacrifice fly, although South Dakota ends the inning with an out at the plate after Florida tried to sneak another run across.

Check out this story on South Dakota’s Devin Cargan

Good stuff here .

Bottom 4: (South Dakota 1, Florida 0)

After loading the bases on two walks and a bunt single — its first hit — South Dakota breaks through with a two-out infield single from pitcher Ryan Henry. JJ Feliciano nearly wiggled out of the jam with back-to-back strikeouts before the RBI knock.

Top 4: (South Dakota 0, Florida 0)

More of the same from Ryan Henry. Another 1-2-3 frame with little stress. Now, South Dakota just needs to bust through offensively.

Bottom 3: (South Dakota 0, Florida 0)

A pitchers’ duel unfolding in Williamsport. A 1-2-3 inning for Florida. JJ Feliciano with five strikeouts through three.

Top 3: (South Dakota 0, Florida 0)

Florida opened with a double and a single, but South Dakota nails the relay to nab Luis Calo at home for the first out. Threat ends there as Ryan Henry wiggles out of trouble. Four hits but no runs for Florida. South Dakota still looking for its first knock.

Bottom 2: (South Dakota 0, Florida 0)

A 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts from JJ Feliciano.

Top 2: (South Dakota 0, Florida 0)

Nice defensive inning for South Dakota. A running grab and a nice play off the wall to prevent a double from center fielder Manny Kortan. Florida picks up its second hit but nothing more.

Bottom 1: (South Dakota 0, Florida 0)

Nice running grab from shortstop Chance Anderson to end the frame. One strikeout for Florida hurler JJ Feliciano.

Top 1: ( South Dakota 0, Florida 0)

Florida picks up one hit but nothing more after South Dakota ends the threat with a 4-6 double play off a liner. Second baseman Sully Krueger to shortstop Bode Biteler. Sioux Falls coming to bat.

South Dakota game time today in 2024 Little League World Series

Representing the Midwest region , Sioux Falls Little League faces Florida at 6 p.m. CT.

South Dakota vs. Florida channel today in LLWS

South Dakota vs. Florida in the Little League World Series will air on ESPN ( Watch on FUBO with 7-day free trial )

South Dakota roster in 2024 Little League World Series

• No. 3 Manny Kortan (CF)
• No. 4 Tait Ready (LF/P)
• No. 5 Sully Krueger (2B/SS)
• No. 6 Kennyel Flores (2B)
• No. 9 Griff Sommer (P/LF)
• No. 10 Kinnick Noble (P/C/SS)
• No. 13 Bode Biteler (C/SS)
• No. 15 Ryan Henry (P/1B)
• No. 17 Luke Fenton (P/2B/3B)
• No. 18 August Vortherms (1B/3B)
• No. 19 Devin Cargin (P/1B)
• No. 21 Sam Wurth (RF/P)

Sioux Falls games, scores in 2024 LLWS

You can follow live game scoring for Sioux Falls Little League here .

Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.

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This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Recap: Florida holds off South Dakota in Little League World Series opener