October 16, 2025

After a long pause in updates due to technical issues, the Ancient City Reds are officially back — and so is the rhythm that made them one of the most talked-about programs in the state.

Following a pair of tough losses to open their St. Augustine Little League 14U season — falling 8–0 and 5–2 to the Red Sox — the Reds finally found their stride Wednesday night, rolling to a dominant 14–0 win over the SALL Orioles. The victory snapped their brief early-season skid and reignited some momentum heading into a big weekend of travel ball.

The game itself was short but sweet — only two innings long — but it was more than enough time for Brendan Roberts to go a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, continuing his hot streak as one of the most consistent bats in Northeast Florida. But the real story was on the mound: Patrick Halloran, making his first pitching appearance since June after recovering from a rotator cuff injury, delivered a shutout gem in his return.

Halloran looked sharp and confident, hitting his spots early and attacking hitters with efficiency. The shutout was more symbolic than statistical — just two innings — but it marked a key milestone for both Halloran and the Reds’ overall pitching depth, which remains one of the strongest in Florida when healthy.

This Little League season comes with an unusual twist for the Reds. Due to facility rules, the team is required to participate in the St. Augustine Little League 14U Fall Season in order to continue using their field for practices. The result has been a unique crossover setup — the Reds remain mostly intact as a team, with the addition of a few local rec-only players to round out the roster.

Despite the logistical oddities, the Reds are making the most of it. They’re treating every inning as reps to refine their timing, chemistry, and execution — all while maintaining the same fiery approach that made them one of the nation’s most respected 13U programs.

And speaking of national attention, the Reds’ position in the rankings reflects both their dominance and their recent downtime. After the cancellation of a tournament earlier this month, the Reds dropped to #25 nationally in USSSA points — but they’re still inside the Top 100 in the Power Rankings, and ranked #1 in Northeast Florida according to nftravelball.wordpress.com. The respect around the region hasn’t gone anywhere — and neither has the swagger.

Now, attention shifts to the Perfect Game Fall Sunshine State Championship this weekend — a tournament that always draws high-level competition and plenty of scouts. The Reds open pool play at Greenland Park in Jacksonville with back-to-back Saturday morning games:

• 8:00 a.m. vs. Money Ballers
• 10:15 a.m. vs. Gainesville Hardballers

After pool play wraps, the Reds will look to advance into bracket play later in the weekend — where their full travel roster will reunite and get a real test against some of Florida’s toughest programs.

Reds Outlook: October Momentum

This week’s win felt like more than just a rec-league victory — it felt like a reset button for the Ancient City Reds.

Halloran’s healthy return changes everything. His presence gives the pitching staff new depth and versatility, allowing Coach Norquist to mix matchups and keep arms fresh through long tournament weekends.

Roberts, meanwhile, continues to anchor both the offense and defense with elite-level consistency. He’s playing fast, confident, and calm — a rare blend that’s becoming his trademark. When he’s locked in at shortstop and producing like this at the plate, the Reds are nearly impossible to beat.

The Reds’ overall message heading into the weekend? Get back to Reds baseball. Grind every pitch, play for each other, and dominate the small details that separate great teams from good ones.

The 14–0 win over the Orioles might not have been a travel game, but it was a statement: the machine is back up to full speed, and the timing couldn’t be better.

As October tournaments heat up, the Ancient City Reds are right where they need to be — confident, focused, and ready to chase more hardware under the Florida sun.