s the ball rocketed off the bat and soared toward deep center field, it appeared Georgia would score an easy run and threaten Florida’s lead.

The lead runner broke from second base on contact and center fielder Tyler Fitzgerald sprinted after the ball. He quickly retrieved it, but the only question seemed to be whether he could throw out Aiden Bowman going for second. Fitzgerald had other ideas and made a perfect throw home to catcher Parker Shoup who made a snap tag. Against the odds, Florida cut down the runner, preserved its three-run lead and six outs later celebrated a Little League World Series berth.

As great as that play was, highlights like that become the norm at South Williamsport. Sixteen of the country’s top Little League teams are here and the ability to make sensational plays look normal is a big reason why. So many have and will continue making big impacts throughout their teams’ summer-long runs. The following is a look at 16 players who particularly shined at the U.S. regional tournaments while helping their teams live their dreams.

Isaac Boudreaux, Louisiana

The player they call “Ice Man,” casts a big shadow, standing 6-feet tall. Still, it is Boudreaux’s game that stands out much more than his height. He was outstanding at the Southwest Regional, excelling on the mound and at the plate. Boudreaux struck out 14 in 9 2/3 innings in two state tournament wins against defending world champion River Ridge and picked up where he left off in Waco, Texas. He threw a one-hit complete game against fellow Series qualifier Texas before striking out six in three innings of the rematch, finishing his tournament 1-0 with a 1.33 ERA and 14 strikeouts. Boudreaux is a vacuum at first base and provides pop in the lineup, batting .571 with a double at regionals.

Frankie Brancaleone, Florida

Good luck figuring out how this poised pitcher is feeling on the field. Whatever the situation, Brancaleone always appears in control and dazzled in front of a national audience in the Southeast winner’s bracket final. Brancaleone threw a masterful three-hit shutout, shutting down an offense which had been scoring runs in punches. Brilliantly mixing his pitches, Brancaleone struck out four, walked none and threw 50 of his 67 pitches for strikes. He went 2-0 at regionals with a 0.60 ERA, also defeating Virginia and scattering five hits in 10 innings. Brancaleone does offensive damage as well and his two-run, first-inning double highlighted a three-run first inning in the win against Georgia.

Nolan Brown, Tennessee

Brown took the Southeast Region by storm, excelling in all facets and helping Tennessee win four straight games to capture the championship. Brown hit .600 in six games with a U.S. high four home runs and 14 RBIs. He also hit safely in every game, produced three three-hit performances, delivered an RBI in every game and homered in four straight contests. The son of Vanderbilt pitching coach Scott Brown, Nolan also dominated on the mound. Crafty and hard-throwing, Brown went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, surrendering just four hits in nine innings while striking out 11. Brown threw a complete game four-hitter in a Series-qualifying win against Georgia and also homered that night.

Jacob Budarz, Connecticut

Using a big bat and powerful arm, Budarz helped Manchester not only capture its first state championship, but also reach the Series and he turned it up a notch at the New England Regional. Budarz produced a hit in each game, batting .556 with a mammoth home run, a double and four runs. Budarz hit a go-ahead, two-run blast against Massachusetts in a Series-clinching victory and also earned the win on the mound that day, throwing 3 1/3 innings of one-hit baseball with eight strikeouts. Budarz went 3 for 4 in that victory and earned the save in Connecticut’s regional opener against Vermont. He also made no errors in three games, helping anchor the defense at shortstop.

Sanath Chari, Washington

Whether pitching, hitting or playing defense, Chari is a difference-maker. He proved it again at the Northwest regional and shined brightest in two victories against fellow Series qualifier Oregon. Chari allowed no runs and just two hits in 8 2/3 innings against Oregon, striking out 18. He was untouchable in the championship, recording 11 of his 12 outs by strikeout and throwing four innings of one-hit baseball. Chari also provides strong production in the middle of the lineup, hitting .500 at regionals with a double and three RBIs. He also collected a hit in each game. Tall and athletic, Chari has excellent range at first base, can stretch to field throws and made no errors in three regional games.

Ryan Keanu, Hawaii

One of many dangerous hitters on a team which hit .436 at regionals, Keanu wore out opposing pitchers while helping Honolulu capture the West championship and finish 4-0. The versatile infielder collected a hit in every game and batted .600 while compiling a .733 on-base percentage. He also slammed a home run, drove in eight runs and scored seven times. Keanu scored in every game, produced seven RBIs in his first two and played outstanding defense, making no errors in 19 chances. Keanu also is a reliable pitcher and was dominant in two outings, going 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and just two hits allowed in five innings. Keanu set the tone for Hawaii’s run with a four-RBI performance and three one-hit innings in the opener against Utah.

Chase Kelly, Oregon

A well-rounded player who performed well in all aspects at the Northwest regional, Kelly helped Lake Oswego reach the Series for just the second time in league history. Kelly was on base in all five games, hitting .462 and totaling a .650 on-base percentage with seven runs and three RBIs. Kelly delivered hits in each of his team’s last four games and also played stellar defense, not making an error. Kelly especially stood out on the mound, winning a game and producing a 1.12 ERA. Kelly was the first pitcher in a long time who slowed down Washington’s potent offense when he surrendered just an earned run and struck out seven in five innings of the final. He also earned a win against Idaho and struck out 12 in 10 2/3 innings.

Tristan Lucier, New Hampshire

He has put on a hitting clinic throughout the summer and Lucier may have been at his best in the New England Regional, helping Hooksett rally from an opening loss to capture the championship. Lucier hit .625 with three home runs, 12 RBIs and nine runs, leading the region in all categories. He also hit safely in all five games and produced eight hits in his last three games, slamming two home runs and driving in six runs in an 11-1 championship victory. Lucier has bashed 10 home runs during New Hampshire’s run. Oh yeah, he can pitch, too. Lucier threw a complete game in the final and struck out 20 in 8 2/3 innings. A terrific shortstop as well, Lucier threw a no-hitter in the state final, fanning 16 of 20 batters faced.

Max Mika, New Jersey

ESPN has endlessly told viewers that former Major Leaguer Todd Frazier once played for Toms River East Little League and sometimes taken focus away from the 13 current players who have performed so well. Mika is one of those excellent players and hit a team-high .455 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional. Mika delivered a hit in four of the five games, was second on the team with five RBIs and produced all three runs in a close victory against Maryland. Mika also put on a defensive show in Bristol, making no errors in five games and often making highlight reel plays at second base. That defense was critical to New Jersey’s success with the team winning three close games, including a 6-3 Series clincher against Delaware after it trailed 3-0 in the final inning.

Kowen Rader, Nebraska

Hastings is just the second team from Nebraska to reach the Series and Rader is a huge reason why. His first-inning home run in the Midwest opener against North Dakota fueled his team’s run to the championship and he capped that run with a pitching gem in the final. Going against undefeated South Dakota, Rader threw a complete game four-hitter and struck out six in the 6-0 victory. He was phenomenal earlier in the tournament against Minnesota, throwing a three-hit shutout with 13 strikeouts. Rader completed his tournament 2-0 with 19 strikeouts in 12 innings. The slick-fielding shortstop also made no errors in five games and was part of a pitching staff which allowed just four runs in five games.

Dylan Regala, Texas

Three years after fighting for his life from a dangerous infection, Regala has authored quite a feel-good story and become one of the country’s premier Little League players. Regala overpowered offenses at the Southwest Regional, surrendering no earned runs and just two hits in 5 2/3 innings. Regala struck out 13 at Waco and threw four innings of one-hit, shutout baseball in the Series qualifying win against Colorado. Also an excellent infielder who made no errors, Regala provides power and production offensively. He hit .385 at regionals, smashing two home runs and adding a triple. Regala homered in consecutive regulation games, compiled a .500 on-base percentage and hit safely in each of the first four games.

Tommy Sergio, Pennsylvania

A feared hitter all summer, Sergio really found his stride in the final two games of the Mid-Atlantic regional when he went 6 for 8 with a home run and double. Sergio was 4 for 4 in the championship win against New Jersey, crushing one of the longest home runs in the region tournament’s history while adding a go-ahead two-run double and finishing with four RBIs. Sergio hit .467 at regionals and also made quite an impact throughout the summer, hitting seven home runs since the all-star season began. Sergio also is an excellent pitcher who closed out the championship. He was sensational in a 5-1, seven-inning regional opening win against Washington, D.C. allowing no earned runs and four hits while striking out 12 in the 5-1 win.

Levi Smith, Ohio

Hamilton is competing at the Series for the fifth time since 1991 and Smith is a big reason why. The shortstop was outstanding while helping Ohio earn a berth following an opening loss. Smith hit .667 and compiled a .778 on-base percentage. Smith was nearly impossible to get out over the last three games and enters the Series having reached base in five straight plate appearances. He was at his best in a Series-qualifying win against Illinois, sparking the offense by going 3 for 3 in a 10-0 victory. Smith struck out just once in four games, reached base in every game and helped Ohio win three straight games. He capped his tournament by reaching base in each of his at-bats against Michigan.

Cameron Thorning, Michigan

One of several Michigan boppers, Thorning has been locked in all summer. After hitting home runs in six state tournament wins, Thorning went 8 for 12 at the Great Lakes Region, hit safely in every game and produced a .750 on-base percentage. An outstanding catcher, Thorning homered, roped two doubles, scored 10 times and added six RBIs. Thorning scored three runs three times in four games in Indianapolis and also stole a base. A five-tool player, Thorning excels at fielding his position and blocking pitches while shutting down opposing running games. Lucas Farner gets an honorable mention here after hitting .692 at regionals and collecting a tournament-high nine hits.

Gibson Turner, California

When there was literally no margin for error last week, Turner was nearly perfect. The hard-throwing right-hander took a no-hitter into the sixth inning against Northern California and striking out 15. The winner of that game reached the Series and Turner was at his best under pressure, never buckling in a contest that remained scoreless until Torrance broke out and won 6-0 in seven innings. Turner recorded 15 of his 17 outs by strikeout, going 5 2/3 innings. He built off an outstanding performance against Arizona and finished regionals, going 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 10 innings. Turner surrendered just three hits and also hit .294 with two doubles and a stolen base.

Gavin Weir, South Dakota

Former Major Leaguer and ESPN analyst Chris Burke said Weir might be the best pitcher he has seen in a decade at the Midwest regional. It’s hard to argue considering how absolutely dominant the left-hander was in Indiana. Weir threw a five-inning perfect game and a no-hitter, recording all but three outs via strikeout as Sioux Falls reached the Series for the second time in four years. Weir throws hard but also possesses nasty off-speed pitches and fanned a U.S. best 30 in 11 innings, throwing a no-hitter with 17 strikeouts in a 3-0 Series-clinching win against Nebraska. A quality center fielder and first baseman as well, Weir packs punch at the plate and hit .444 with a home run and four RBIs.