Little League World Series: Midwest 1, West 0
What went down: Sweetwater Valley’s opening game in the Little League World Series featured a pitching showdown, with both teams’ starting pitchers leaving the mound to a standing ovation.
Davenport’s Cooper Thissen was a little better. The lefty belted a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the first and pitched most of the way as Davenport pulled off a 1-0 win and threw a combined no-hitter.
Noah Kirk started on the mound for Sweetwater Valley, striking out 13 before being lifted in the fifth inning. He was replaced by Leo Gonzales, who struck out one more.
“I can’t say enough. He fought through. He’s a dog,” Sweetwater Valley coach Steve Winnick said of Kirk. “He has that competitor’s mentality. He does a great job, and after that first batter of the game … he was lights out.”
Davenport Northwest’s Cooper Thissen #15, representing the Midwest Region, pitches against Sweetwater Valley, representing the West Region, during the 2026 Little League World Series at Howard J. Lamade Stadium on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026 in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Turning point: Thissen left the game in the sixth inning after striking out 15. Sweetwater Valley loaded the bases with one out in the sixth, and the fans at Lamade Stadium erupted with chants of “SVLL!”
However, Davenport reliever Anthony Johnson Jr. closed out the game with two straight strikeouts. He got the final out on a full-count strike that nipped the corner.
Davenport Northwest’s Anthony Johnson Jr. #22, representing the Midwest Region, celebrates after defeating Sweetwater Valley, representing the West Region, during the 2026 Little League World Series at Howard J. Lamade Stadium on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026 in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
He said it: “I told them, ‘The great thing is that we’re not done.’ I would love to see that team again and face them again. I think it could be different next time.
“We have to believe in ourselves, and regardless of whether we lost the first game, the great news is we’re deep enough with pitching where we can make it out. It’s tough, but we can make it out of this loser’s bracket.” — Winnick
Up next: Sweetwater Valley Little League faces Phenix City, Ala., in Saturday’s elimination game. First pitch at 4 p.m.; the game will air on ESPN.
— ALEXANDRA MENDOZA