Needville, Texas' DJ Jablonski (10) celebrates with teammates after reaching his pitch limit during the sixth inning of a baseball game against Media, Pa., at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Before he learned how good DJ Jablonski was, Needville, Texas manager Andy McRae discovered how unflappable he was.

And Jablonski was just 7.

McRae has coached Jablonski since T-Ball and has tested his theory countless times since then. Nearly every time, Jablonski has confirmed it. He did so again Monday night against California.

Jablonski was cool under fire, throwing 5 1/3 brilliant innings of three-hit baseball and earning the victory as Needville defeated powerful California and earned a spot in Wednesday’s winner’s bracket final against Washington.

“Since T-ball, I’ve put DJ in the absolutely worst positions possible for a kid to be in: bases loaded, no outs, let’s put DJ in because he competes,” McRae said. “That’s just who he is. He’s a competitor and he just goes out and does it. He’s had downs and ups, but he’s had more ups than downs for sure.”

This summer has been one entire ascension. Jablonski has shined at every step along the way and has left quite a mark on the Series thus far. He already is 2-0, throwing gems in hard-fought wins against local favorite Media, Pennsylvania and California.

Oh yeah, Jablonski also helped his cause Monday when he launched a long home run over the bushes, beyond the right-center field fence. All this after going 7 for 9 with a hit in all four games at the Southwest Regional.

“Honestly, it really doesn’t seem real yet just because you’re in the moment still,” Jablosnki said. “I know in a while it will really start to kick in.”

When it does, what a fun time Jablonski should have reminiscing. Needville has put together a super team effort to become one of the world’s best Little League teams, but Jablonski certainly has done a lot of heavy lifting, pitching well, excelling defensively and flourishing as the team’s No. 3 hitter.

Jablonski broke out offensively at the Series with his home run which gave Needville a 3-1 lead Monday, but he has been dominant on the mound since walking onto the Lamade Stadium field eight nights ago and shutting down previously undefeated Pennsylvania.

That night, most of the fans were pulling for Pennsylvania but Jablonski kept them quiet all night. He threw 5 2/3 innings of three-hit baseball, scattered three hits and struck out 10. The game was tight the whole way, the crowd was loud and the challenge high.

Jablonski felt right at home.

“It felt better because I feel like I play better whenever it’s a louder crowd and there’s more pressure, especially whenever they’re against you,” Jablonski said. “It’s like you have to work a little bit harder.”

Working hard is what Jablonski enjoys doing just like his teammates. That is a big reason Needville entered Wednesday’s game having not tasted defeat since the section tournament. His ability to maintain his composure and embrace the big moments has provided quite a boost along the way.

Pennsylvania looked like it may take an early lead in the second inning last week when it put runners on second and third with no outs in a scoreless game. Instead, Jablonski retired the next three batters and Needville soon went ahead to stay, capitalizing on the momentum. It was a pitcher’s duel all night against Pennsylvania ace Austin Crowley but Jablonski never buckled and seemingly grew stronger as the game progressed.

“Both pitchers really did well,” Pennsylvania manager Tom Bradley said. “It was two No. 1 pitchers going back and forth. It was a battle.”

Jablonski always seems up for a good battle. He seems to play his best in the biggest games. He proved it in the Southwest final against Louisiana, hitting a go-ahead, two-run home run before closing out the game on the mound.

He did it again against California. After surrendering a first-inning home run, Jablonski did not allow another run. And when California put the tying runners on first and second with no outs in the fifth, Jablonski dialed it back in, induced three straight outs and preserved the lead. On the biggest stage, the moment again was his.

Against a team which has scored runs in bunches at times, Jablonski allowed three hits in his 5 1/3 innings, struck out five and walked one. In two Series appearances, he is 2-0 with 15 strikeouts and just one walk.

“It (the home run allowed) got me kind of fired up because then I knew that I was really going to have to focus for the rest of the game,” Jablonski said. “That’s what happened.”

“DJ Pitched a heck of a game. We weren’t going to go out there and strike out 10 tonight. They’re too good of a hitting team,” McRae said. “It just wasn’t going to happen, but he trusts his defense. He knows they’re good and they made some really good plays for him.”

Jablonski helped his cause when he drilled his fourth inning home run. The 12-year-old had been fooled on the first pitch of his at-bat but recovered and launched a no-doubter on an 0-2 pitch while sending the orange-clad Needville fans into a frenzy.

“I was just thinking don’t get beat by a fastball because that’s the one thing I don’t want to have happen,” Jablonski said. “I hit it out in front and it went a long way.”

And Jablonski sure has helped Needville, population 3,018, come a long way.