EASLEY, SC — At a scorching 97 degrees, the Florida District 12 All-Stars opened pool play at the Big League World Series on Thursday.

Florida, the Southeast champs, battled Indiana, the Central representative, under extreme heat, taking breaks every two innings to cool off and get the teams out of the sun.

Indiana edged Florida, 3-2, to win the first game of the day.

Up next for the Florida squad — which includes players from Clearwater, Dunedin Largo and Palm Harbor — is a game against Texas (Southwest) at 7:30 p.m. Friday.