A Historic Return to Williamsport
The 2026 Little League World Series elimination game in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, pits Alabama’s Phenix City All-Stars against California’s Sweetwater Valley Little League, a clash that has drawn national attention.
Alabama’s presence in the tournament marks its ninth appearance since 2025, a streak that stretches back to 1999 when brothers Colby and Cory Rasmus led the team to the title game, making this return after a 27‑year hiatus especially meaningful.
At the heart of Phenix City’s lineup are Kinley Rasmus, Lorenzo Quintero and Easton Allen, each of whom has delivered standout performances that have kept the Alabama side competitive against a California squad that opened the scoring with an RBI in the second inning.
The third inning proved pivotal as Phenix City erupted for four runs; Casen Smith’s single, Kinley Rasmus’s RBI triple and Cam Lee’s two‑run homer contributed to a surge that put Alabama ahead, while a subsequent pitching error loaded the bases and added another run.
California answered in the fourth with an RBI triple that cut the deficit to 7‑2, but the Alabama offense continued to press, extending the lead to 9‑2 thanks to a sacrifice fly by Cooper Champion and an RBI single from Easton Allen.
Key moments also involved Ryker Rasmus, Urijah Berklite, Layton Burt, Brooks Cameron and Jerry Taylor, whose defensive plays and timely hits helped preserve the advantage.
The games are being televised live on ESPN, which provides real‑time updates and highlights, ensuring that fans across the United States can follow the action from Bonita, California, where Sweetwater Valley is based.