They are the best in the world. Not Florida. Not the United States. The world.

“It’s just really special that we’re one of the very few teams that get to win the World Series and to be on ESPN,” said pitcher Cassidy Renninger, who caught the final out to seal the championship.

The South Tampa Bay All-Star softball team, made up of girls from Tampa Bay, Palma Ceia and Interbay, are World Series champions. The 13 and 14- year-olds, won the Little League Junior Softball World Series title Saturday August 8th in Kirkland, Wash.

They beat the Philippines, 9-2 for the title, but rolled over competition the entire tournament.

“They went a combined 24-0 over the district sectionals, state, South Eastern regional and World Series games,” said head coach Bo Longshore. “They outscored their opponents 241-31. Just tremendous pitching, defensive and obviously hitting. This is a very special team.”

What makes things more impressive, this is the second time in three years a Longshore coached team from Tampa won the World Series.

“We have three girls (including his daughter Kit) who had older sisters who won in 2013,” said Longshore. “Anything less wouldn’t have been acceptable. A pretty amazing ride for two out of the last three years for a team from South Tampa to win the World Series.”

The Tampa Bay Rays agree. As soon as the team landed at the airport, the Rays called to invite the champs to Tropicana as special guests.

“I wasn’t that surprised when they called ‘cause we just won a World Series and we did well,” said catcher Chloe Boos, who hit six home runs during the World Series. “I was not expecting it I should say, but hoping.” Boos, a freshman at the Academy of Holy Names, went 3-for-4 with 2 doubles and a home run in the final.

Rays third basemen Evan Longoria greeted the team and signed autographs. Before their win he even tweeted a good luck message to the girls.

“It’s really exciting to be like woah, we’re here,” said Renninger. We won and everyone is congratulating us. There are so many people that are like ‘good job.’ It’s really exciting.”

To see highlights of their championship win click here.