North Carolina takes the lead

A leadoff single and stellar baserunning put a runner on third with two outs for North Carolina’s Belle Cox. Cox fell behind in the count 0-2 and even lucked out on a questionable check swing to stay alive in the at-bat. She made the most of her extra opportunity, smacking a single into left field to drive in the first run of the game.

Emma Riccio would line a single into center in the next at-bat as well, putting two runners on.

Pitcher Anna-Lynn Clark would also single, but the throw from right field to home was just in time to nab the runner at home and end the inning. North Carolina would not be able to put any more runs on the board. Still, considering last year’s LLSWS championship game was a 1-0 win for Pennsylvania, the one run on the board could be enough of a cushion for Anna-Lynn Clark and the North Carolina defense to earn a win.

Kentucky strands leadoff hitter

A leadoff single from Kentucky did not matter as the next three batters couldn’t move the runner off first base. North Carolina’s Anna-Lynn Clark has found herself in some trouble early in this game, but has stayed poised through adversity, keeping Kentucky off the board. This one remains scoreless.

How many video replay challenges do teams get in the Little League Softball World Series?

Team managers get up to two unsuccessful video replay challenges during a regulation six-inning game in the Little League Softball World Series. Also, managers are granted one additional video replay challenge specifically for use during extra innings, regardless of whether they used their challenge allocation during regulation play.

Kentucky enjoys a quick inning

After an eventful top of the first, it was a quiet and quick bottom of the first. Kentucky pitcher Michaela Knight needed just five pitches to retire the side.

We head to the bottom of the second with the game still tied.

Kentucky strands two, fails to score

After the collision, a hit by pitch put two runners on with two outs. Anna-Lynn Clark even got behind Kentucky’s Hunter Sparks in the count, but after a solid line drive by Sparks to right field, a diving play from right fielder Abbey Robinson would end the inning without any runs scoring.

This game remains scoreless after a very eventful top of the first.

Scary collision in first inning

With one out in the first, a pop-up to second base looked like it would be no danger, but after the North Carolina shortstop and second baseman ran into each other, not only did a runner wind up on base, but 2B Sophie Catarozolli was hurt, forcing her to leave the game.

Catarazolli, also the daughter of team manager Ben, was supposed to serve as the team’s leadoff hitter in the bottom of the first as well. She was replaced by Parker Mortensen at second.

Who is pitching for North Carolina?

Anna-Lynn Clark will toe the rubber for North Carolina for this championship game. She’s been outstanding throughout this tournament, recording double-digit strikeouts in every game she’s pitched in. She’ll be a tough case to crack for this Kentucky team.

What is a courtesy runner in Little League Softball?

A courtesy runner is used strictly for the pitcher or catcher of record. That courtesy runner can enter only when there are exactly two outs in the half-inning. Also, the courtesy runner is in the continuous batting lineup and must be the player who made the last official out.

Japan earns 2026 Girls with Game Team Sportsmanship Award

Little League announced the honor in a statement.”For the second year in a row, a team from Japan will take home the Girls with Game Team Sportsmanship Award as Kinki Little League (Tokyo, Japan) earned the 2026 honors based on its conduct and interactions both on and off the field throughout its time competing in the Little League Softball World Series.”Previous Girls with Game Team Sportsmanship Award Recipients:

• 2025: Tohoku Little League (Iwate, Japan)
• 2021: Robinson (Texas) Little League
• 2022: Negros Occidental Little League (Bacolod City, Philippines)
• 2023: Lombardia Little League (Milano, Italy)
• 2024: Emilia Romagna Little League (Bologna, Italy)

2026 Little League Softball World Series teams in championship game

North Carolina Regional Champion

Johnston County Little League out of Clayton, North Carolina, will compete for the world title for the first time, according to Little League. The team had a perfect performance in the regional tournament, going 3-0, and also outscored the competition 32-0 in those games. According to WKML 95.7, Johnston County Little League only started its softball program in 2023 and now has a chance to win a world title. If Johnston County LL is successful, it will be the fourth North Carolina-based program to win the tournament and the first since 2024 − when Pitt County Girls Softball Little League from Winterville, North Carolina, won the championship.

Central Regional Champion

If there was one team to watch in the 2026 Little League Softball World Series, Daviess County Little League might be that squad. First, Daviess County defeated last year’s LLSWS runner-up Floyds Knobs Little League, 1-0, on July 22 to win this year’s Central Region Tournament and finish with a 4-1 record. Second, Daviess County’s pitcher Michaela Knight was tough to stop not only in the regional championship game but for the whole tournament. She went six innings, allowed four hits, gave up two walks and struck out five in the shutout victory over Floyds Knobs LL to win the regional title. She also pitched all 30 innings in her team’s five games and had 25 strikeouts during the regional tournament. Third, Daviess County clinched the program’s first ticket to the LLSWS and became only the second Kentucky-based team to ever earn a berth in the LLSWS. Valley Sports Little League (Louisville, Kentucky) was the first Kentucky team to qualify as the Central Regional participant in 2005. Finally, Daviess County LL became the fourth straight Central Region Tournament champion to come out of the loser’s bracket. A Kentucky team has never won the Little League Softball World Series.

2026 LLSWS championship game coming up

It will be North Carolina vs Kentucky for this year’s LLSWS championship. Both teams come into this title game with 4-0 records.

When is a Little League Softball game considered official?

A game becomes an official, legally complete game after four full innings (or three and a half innings if the home team is leading, according to Little League.

What channel is the LLSWS championship game on?

• Game 22 (LLSWS Championship): Kentucky vs North Carolina – 3 p.m. (ABC).
  • Kentucky is the away team and North Carolina is the home team

Little League Softball World Series winners by country, through 2025

• 1. United States: 50
• 2. Puerto Rico: 1 

What are the Little League Softball World Series ages?

Softball players must be ages 10-12 to participate in the Little League Softball World Series, according to Little League.

What are the pitching restrictions for Little League softball?

A pitcher is strictly limited to throwing a maximum of 12 innings per day and 12 innings per game. If a pitcher throws six or fewer innings in a single calendar day – that requires zero days of rest. If a pitcher throws seven or more innings in a single day – that player must observe one full calendar day of rest before pitching again.

LLSWS third-place consolation game lived up to the hype

It came down to the bottom of the sixth inning and Florida pieced together the clutch plays and hits to walk-off with the 5-4 win over New Jersey to finish as the third best team at the LLSWS.

Florida’s Kylie Green went 3-for-3 with a run and RBI, which was the game-winner. Avery Little went 2-for-3 with a run scored and Riley Tolan went 2-for-2. In just two years at the LLSWS (2025 was the first time for the Southeast Region champions), Lake Mary Little League has become a household name. Florida’s Bryann Fieser (2 2/3IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 2K) came on in relief of Rylie Tolan and closed the door on New Jersey’s scoring.

New Jersey had a successful debut in the 2026 LLSWS as pitcher Jaelyn Brown went the distance (5 1/3IP, 11H, 5R, 3ER, 3BB, 1K) while going 1-for-2 at the plate with a run scored an RBI-single. Meanwhile, Julian Florek-Doslik (1-for-2, R, RBI) and Leiana Gay (1-for-2, RBI) were other top hitters for Toms River Little League.

Florida gets the walk-off victory over New Jersey

Florida’s Brynn Fieser sacrifices the potential game-winning runner into scoring position. New Jersey counters by walking Callie Ousley to set up a force out. Karissa Edghill’s single loaded the bases with one out. The bases are loaded for Kylie Green, who had two hits already today. Green responded and hits a ball to center field that drives in the winning-run.

Florida’s Avery Little continues to mash the ball

Florida’s Avery Little is now the potential winning run as she collected her 10th hit this week at the LLSWS.

Can Florida walk it off ? Or are we headed to extra innings?

Last chance for Florida coming up in the bottom of the sixth inning.

New Jersey gets the go-ahead runner on, but doesn’t plate any runs

New Jersey gets a walk from Analeise Curley with one out. Avian Gay reaches first base on an error giving Toms River Little League runners on the scorers. Gay later takes second base uncontested to put two runners in scoring position. New Jersey’s Jaelyn Brown popped out in foul territory along third base line for the second out. Also, Brielle Bognar popped out to first base, which ends the threat.

Florida gets a runner into scoring position, but baserunning mistake ends threat

Florida had a runner on second base with one out. New Jersey’s centerfielder made a web gem diving catch for the second out. The throw comes into the infield and New Jersey eventually tags the runner, who was on third base at the time, but that runner didn’t tag up. So, that runner is out on the double play. The game is still tied 4-4 after five innings.

New Jersey goes down 1-2-3

Florida’s Bryann Fieser has settled in and kept New Jersey off the bases in the top of the fifth inning.

LLSWS third-place consolation game summary – thus far

So far, there were three lead changes and four of the eight runs were unearned. Florida has scored all four of its runs in the last two innings.

New Jersey’s Jaelyn Brown battling against Florida

Brown has pitched four innings, allowed seven hits, four runs (two earned), two walks and has one strikeout. The game is tied 4-4 after four innings.

The go-ahead run is now in scoring position for Florida

After another review – the Florida runner was awarded second base with two outs.

Another obstruction call, this time gets a run for Florida

Another obstruction call − the second at home plate − allows another Florida run to score. The game is tied 4-4.

Florida asks for its first replay challenge

The call on the field was out on a close play at first base in the bottom of the fourth inning. On replay, the call was overturned.

Brynn Fieser is now in the circle for Florida

The final pitching line for Riley Tolan was: 3 1/3IP, 4H, 4R, 2ER, 3K. Fieser gets a fly out and strikeout to end the threat. 4-3 New Jersey lead after top of fourth inning.

New Jersey retakes the lead in the LLSWS third-place consolation game

Leiana Gay’s RBI-single gives New Jersey the lead back, 4-3, with one out in the top of the fourth inning. That will also be all for Florida’s Riley Tolan.

New Jersey ties it up

Juliana Florek-Doslik gets an RBI-double that brings Jaelyn Brown home and New Jersey ties the game at 3-3.

After difficult inning for New Jersey, Florida takes the lead

New Jersey gave up two hits, had an error and had an interference call go against it while Florida scored three runs and capitalized on those miscues for the 3-2 lead after three innings.

New Jersey’s defense commits critical error

A fielding error allowed two runs to score and for Florida to take the lead, 3-1, the first of the game for New Jersey. The play was challenged by New Jersey and New Jersey lost the challenge and is out of challenge for the rest of the regulation game.

What just happened on that run down between third base and home plate?

After a hit to left field, a Florida runner was attempting to score but the throw beat her down the life. The home plate umpire signaled obstruction on the initial throw back to third base to try to get the runner in the rundown. The runner was tagged out but the obstruction call stood after a conference with the umpires. 2-1 lead for New Jersey with two outs.

New Jersey is challenging another play after winning first challenge

This time New Jersey is challenging a safe call at second base. However, New Jersey loses this challenge on replay and has one more unsuccessful challenge left in the game – unless it goes to extra innings.

New Jersey goes down 1-2-3

For the first time in the game, New Jersey didn’t get a runner on base. We head to the bottom of the third inning, leading 2-0 over Florida.

Florida gets another hit…but can’t convert into any runs

Florida’s Kylie Green got the second hit of New Jersey pitcher Jaelyn Brown but the Southeast Region champions couldn’t turn that into any runs. New Jersey leads 2-0 after two innings.

Who is New Jersey’s manager in the LLSWS game?

That would be Neal Gay and ESPN showed his interaction with his catcher, Leiana Gay, after winning that out at third base call.

New Jersey has another scoring threat

But Florida’s Riley Tolan avoids any more damage. It is still New Jersey 2, Florida 0 after the top of the second inning.

New Jersey challenges safe call at third base

The call on the field was that the runner was safe. But on replay, that call was overturned. New Jersey wins the challenge. After one inning, New Jersey still leads 2-0 over Florida.

Is Avery Little the best hitter in the LLSWS?

Florida’s Avery Little is making a case for that. She just got her ninth hit in the LLSWS.

New Jersey takes the lead against Florida

Florida commits two errors. Jaelyn Brown has an RBI-single. Brielle Bognar adds a sacrifice fly. It is a 2-0 lead for New Jersey after the top of the first inning.

New Jersey, Florida underway in the LLSWS third-place consolation game

New Jersey’s Analeise Curley is leading off against Florida pitcher Riley Tolan.

Who are the starting pitchers for Florida, New Jersey in the LLSWS third-place consolation game?

New Jersey will send Jaelyn Brown into the circle and Florida’s starting pitcher is Riley Tolan.

Who are the announcers, commentators on ESPN for the LLSWS third-place consolation game?

The ESPN crew is Michele Smith, Amanda Scarborough and Courtney Lyle.

Are there extra innings in the Little League Softball World Series?

Yes, there can be extra innings –  if a regulation Little League Softball World Series game is still tied after six innings. According to Little League, the tiebreaker will begin immediately in the seventh inning by placing the player who is scheduled to bat last in that respective half inning on second base to begin each extra inning.

How many innings are in a Little League Softball World Series game?

A regulation Little League Softball World Series game is typically six innings long – as long as neither team amasses a 10-run lead or more before the sixth inning.

Who won the 2025 Little League Softball World Series?

The 2025 Little League Softball World Series champion was West Suburban Little League from Johnstown, Pennsylvania. That program isn’t in the LLSWS this year − so there will be a new champion crowned on Sunday, Aug. 9. Here are some of the most recent champions:

• 2025: West Suburban Little League – Johnstown, Pennsylvania
• 2024: Pitt County Girls Softball Little League – Winterville, North Carolina
• 2023: Massapequa International Little League – Massapequa Park, New York
• 2022: Midway Little League– Hewitt, Texas
• 2021: Green Country Little League– Muskogee, Oklahoma

Little League World Series third-place consolation teams

Florida (Lake Mary Little League)

If you’ve heard of Lake Mary Little League participating in the Little League Softball World Series before, your memory is on target. For the second year in a row, Lake Mary LL represented the Southeast Region at youth softball’s top summer event. This year, Lake Mary went 4-0 in the regional tournament and defeated Pitt County Girls Softball LL (Winterville, North Carolina), 3-1, in the championship game. In its LLSWS debut in 2025, Lake Mary LL went 3-2, with both losses coming against the Southwest Regional champion − Tulsa National Little League. This year, Lake Mary LL has gone 3-2 heading into today’s LLSWS third-place consolation game.

New Jersey (Toms River Little League)

Toms River has a notable history when it comes to Little League baseball − and the town’s softball team has made some profound memories on the World Series level. Toms River Little League emerged from the loser’s bracket of the Mid-Atlantic Regional tournament to beat Minersville Little League (Minersville, Pennsylvania), 5-3, to win this year’s Mid-Atlantic Regional title. The victory clinched Toms River LL‘s first trip to the Little League Softball World Series and the Jersey Shore-area squad became just the fifth team from New Jersey to qualify for the global event. So far, Toms River LL has gone 3-2 in the LLSWS going into today’s LLSWS third-place consolation game.

Is there a ‘mercy rule’ in the Little League Softball World Series?

Yes, but Little League refers to it as the “Run Rule,” and that’s how you’ll hear it announced on television during the event. Here’s how the 10-Run Rule and 15-Run Rule works in postseason games.

• The 15-Run Rule: If a team has a lead of 15 runs or more after three complete innings (or two and one-half innings if the home team is ahead), the manager of the team with fewer runs must concede the victory, according to Little League.
• The 10-Run Rule: If a team has a lead of 10 runs or more after four complete innings (or three and one-half innings if the home team is ahead), the game is officially ended and the trailing manager concedes, according to Little League.

What does ‘continuous batting order’ mean?

The continuous batting order (CBO) in the Little League Softball World Series is a tournament mandate where every eligible player on a team’s roster must be placed in the batting order to hit sequentially throughout the entire game. 

How to watch Little League Softball World Series on TV and stream

LLSWS games on Sunday, Aug. 9 will be broadcast on ESPN with the third-place game at 10 a.m. ET and the championship game at 3 p.m. ET on ABC. Fans can also stream both games on Fubo.

What time is the Little League Softball World Series today?

The Little League Softball World Series will take place today with the third-place game at 10 a.m. ET. This is followed by the championship game later in the afternoon at 3 p.m. ET.

Little League Softball World Series schedule, bracket

• Dates : Aug. 2-9
• TV : ESPN | ESPN2 | ABC
• Stream : ESPN+
• Location : Greenville, North Carolina

Orange Bracket

• Asia-Pacific Regional Champion
  • Kinki Softball Little League (Sango, Japan)
• Central Regional Champion
  • Daviess County Little League (Owensboro, Kentucky)
• Latin America Regional Champion
  • Guayama Softball Little League (Guayama, Puerto Rico)
• Mid-Atlantic Regional Champion
  • Toms River Little League (Toms River, New Jersey)
• New England Regional Champion
  • Bristol Girls Softball Little League (Bristol, Connecticut)
• West Regional Champion
  • Live Oak Little League (Live Oak, California)

Purple Bracket

• Canada Regional Champion
  • OnField Little League (Repentigny, Quebec)
• Europe & Africa Regional Champion
  • Emilia Romagna Little League (Bologna, Italy)
• North Carolina Regional Champion
  • Johnston County Little League (Clayton, North Carolina)
• Northwest Regional Champion
  • Snohomish Little League (Snohomish, Washington)
• Southeast Regional Champion
  • Lake Mary Little League (Lake Mary, Florida)
• Southwest Regional Champion
  • Greater Helotes Little League (Helotes, Texas)