Although they will not capture national championships, the seven teams eliminated at the Little League World Series entering Thursday’s loser’s bracket final probably share a similar feeling.

They’re not sad it’s over, but grateful it happened. All seven lived a Little Leaguer’s dream, playing at the Series and creating moments they and their friends will never forget. The following is a look at those seven teams who had been eliminated entering Thursday night’s game.

Wailuku, Hawaii

Wailuku staged an impressive comeback in its final game Wednesday, fighting back from a four-run, fourth-inning deficit and twice putting the tying runner at third. Florida, however, closed out a dramatic 4-3 win.

Still, the way Wailuku fought back epitomized everything that helped it finish as the country’s fourth-best Little League team.

“They fought hard right to the end. They went down swinging and that’s all we can ask for,” Hawaii manager Daniel Bolduc said. “They had no quit.”

Wailuku fought through a loaded Hawaii field to capture the state championship before topping a powerful California team to win the West Regional title. Once here, Wailuku won two more games, excelling in pressure moments both times.

Evan Tavares went 3-0 and established himself as one of the country’s best Little League pitchers, while every player left his finger prints upon the team’s success. Wailuku has played at the Series twice since 2019, finishing third and fourth, respectively. That is a testament to the league’s pedigree and this particular team’s resiliency.

Put it all together and Wailuku made the most of its summer-long journey and etched its name as one of the best ever in its decorated league.

“(I’ll remember) the overall experience. This is the highest level you can get for Little League,” Bolduc said. “The way the tournament is run, the city … I don’t know what the word is, whether it’s magical or inspirational. Whatever it is, they really rally around the youth and to me that is just amazing. They made every kid feel like a Major Leaguer and I think that’s unbelievable.”

Staten Island, New York

This was the fourth time South Shore Little League reached the Series and the Metro champions made quite a mark, winning two games in South Williamsport and giving Florida a battle in its final contest. Staten Island bounced back from an opening-game loss to defeat South Dakota and Illinois, rallying in the fourth inning both times to go ahead for good.

Staten Island rallied for two exciting wins at regionals and also fought back after being an out from elimination during states. From near elimination to finishing among the country’s top six teams, it was quite a ride.

“It’s only with the help of God that I got here. There’s a lot of things that could go wrong. You run into a great team, you run into a buzz saw,” Staten Island manager Bob Laterza said. “An outfielder can fall down, somebody gets an injury. There’s a load of things that can happen to stop you from getting here even with a great team. This year was fortunate and I thank God that we got here.”

Laterza has been coaching Little League for 32 years. He has coached some great teams in the past and this one was the one which provided him the highlight of a lifetime.

“They played their hearts out. They could have been knocked out many times,” Laterza said. “It was a great run we had and not everybody is going to win. As long as they fight to the end I don’t have a problem and they did. It was a better experience here than I ever imagined.”

Newtown, Pennsylvania

Like Staten Island, Newtown finished in the country’s top 6 and also won two Series games following its first loss. The Mid-Atlantic champions outscored New Hampshire and Washington, 17-2, before staging a furious sixth inning rally in a 3-1 loss against Hawaii.

Newtown reached the Series for the first time since 2005 and traveled a difficult road, winning 18 games on the way to South Williamsport. Newtown finished the summer with 20 wins and won 18 at one point.

“They’ve given me so much. The rest of my life, I will remember these boys,” Newtown manager Brad Hamilton said as he fought through tears. “When you ask 12-year-olds to help you and give you what you can, it’s awesome when you see it. This is what you get into coaching for.”

Newtown had no shortage of heroes throughout its run, hitting well over .400 while showcasing excellent defense and pitching. Every player reached base at the Series and 11 of the 12 produced hits as Newtown highlighted exactly why it was able to become one of the world’s top Little League teams.

“This has been nothing but a dream,” Hamilton said. “You can’t imagine when you start at Chandler Hall just teaching boys how to play baseball, a sport you love, that you’d end up here crying about 13 12-year olds.”

Puyallup, Washington

Before last year, Puyallup had never won a state championship. This team continued blazing a new trail and reached the Series in thrilling fashion. Along the way, Puyallup showed it had the heart to match its talent.

At the Northwest Regional, Puyallup won three straight games after dropping its opener. Against Oregon in the semifinals it was trailing 5-0 through four innings and had no hits. In a flash, Puyallup erupted, scoring 11 runs and banging out nine hits as it won, 14-5. A day later, Puyallup produced one of the more remarkable comebacks in Northwest tournament history.

Down to its last strike with nobody on base and trailing by a run, 11 straight batters reached base, nine via hits, and Puyallup defeated Idaho, 13-6. Although it did not win a Series games, moments like those are the ones which defined this history-making team which puts its league on the map.

“I love it for these guys. I don’t think they even understand how special it is,” Puyallup manager Sean Dobbelaere said. “That’s the thing we keep telling them. Just look around. In 10 years, you’ll be like, ‘I played in the Little League World Series. That’s what I love about it. That’s what I love them getting to understand. I love them getting a chance to make a memory that not many get to make.

Hinsdale, Illinois

Like Washington, Hinsdale staged two dramatic comebacks to reach its first Series. First, Hinsdale rallied from two down in the sixth, scoring twice there and then another in the seventh to win, 7-6. Next, it was down to its last strike against Indiana but again tied the game and won it in seven innings.

Hinsdale had been knocking on the Series door the last six years, winning four state championships during that time. This group is the one who kicked it down, going undefeated on the way to South Williamsport.

Despite going 0-2 at the Series, Hinsdale made a statement which will reverberate with its league forever. And those gutsy players set a new standard, something especially impressive considering how strong its league is.

Think about the number of teams that made it here and the journey they’ve been on; the memories they have made,” Hinsdale manager Chad Wanless said. “This was a world class experience. It’s a super tight group of kids and we couldn’t be prouder of them.”

Salem, New Hampshire

It was a similar message being sent by Salem manager Dan DeFrancesco. Salem also made history and reached its first Series. It also repeated as state champions.

Equally impressive, this group of players has won three straight state championships at different age groups. That includes William Briggs and Owen Griffin. Both are 11 and will have the rare opportunity to both win a fourth Little League championship and reach the Series next summer.

Whatever the future holds, this team now stands alone as the best in league history. Like so many teams here, this was a resilient group, rallying from an opening loss at the New England Regional and winning three straight close games to turn its dream into reality.

“We’re in Williamsport as the New England represenative. For our guys it was almost a relief,” DeFrancesco said. “Going through districts and states and regionals, I think there was some pressure because I think a lot of people expected us to win. The kids came here and had the opportunity to just play free. We just tried to make sure they’re enjoying the experience. It’s awesome.”

Sioux Falls,

South Dakota

Sioux Falls Little League was born just seven years ago. What a power it has become, reaching the Series for the fourth time. Sioux Falls enhanced its tradition and reputation, powering through tough state and region fields before giving both Florida and New York battles at the Series.

Sioux Falls won four straight elimination games in states before bouncing back from a regional loss and defeating strong Iowa and Missouri teams to make it back to South Williamsport. Every player produced at least two hits at regionals and South Dakota produced a defensive clinic at the Series.

The end result was not what Sioux Falls wanted, but it again made a powerful statement and teammates created bonds which will link them wherever they go.

“(I’ll remember) the smiles on kids’ faces. It’s memories, life-long buddies and things they’ll never forget,” Sioux Falls manager Nick Kortan said. “I’m super proud of them, and how they handled themselves. I’m super proud of how they’ve grown as young men. We learned some life lessons along the way and we got a heck of a lot better as baseball players. We saw some unbelievable competition and these are memories we will take with us forever.”