One Win From Williamsport: Nolensville’s Dream Crushed by Alabama
Nolensville vs. Alabama: Little League Southeast Regional Championship Game Recap
August 11, 2026 | Warner Robins, Georgia
The winner advances to the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania (starting August 19).
The Long Wait: A Four-Hour Rain Delay
Before a single pitch was thrown, Mother Nature took center stage.
- Original start time: 2:00 PM CT
- Actual first pitch: ~5:50 PM CT
- Delay length: Nearly 4 hours due to rain and wet field conditions
- Updates throughout the afternoon: Officials kept pushing the possible start time, finally confirming a 5:30 PM target that held.
IMPORTANT: The winner of this game punches their ticket to the Little League World Series — the biggest stage in youth baseball!
The Game Story: Inning by Inning
Here’s how the championship unfolded, explained simply (ELI5 style — like you’re 5!).
1⃣ Top of the 1st: Nolensville at Bat
- Result: Three up, three down.
- What that means: All three Nolensville batters made outs quickly. No one reached base.
2⃣ Bottom of the 1st: Alabama Strikes First
Alabama jumped ahead 2-0 with a chaotic inning:
- Single (hit)
- Hit by pitch (free base)
- Walk (four balls = free base)
- Wild pitch → Runner scores from 3rd (1-0)
- Steal of home → Runner darts home on the pitch (2-0)
ELI5: A wild pitch is when the pitcher throws it so wild the catcher can’t catch it. A steal of home is when a runner on 3rd base sprints home while the pitcher is throwing — super risky, super cool!
3⃣ Top of the 2nd: Nolensville Quiet Again
- Three up, three down vs. Alabama pitcher Kinley Rasmus.
- Fun fact: She’s the daughter of former MLB pitcher Cory Rasmus!
4⃣ Bottom of the 2nd: Alabama Threatens But Comes Up Empty
- Two-out triple (hit to the wall, runner slides into 3rd)
- But next batter makes an out → No runs score. Still 2-0.
5⃣ Top of the 3rd: Rasmus Dominates
- Three up, three down again.
- Rasmus strikeout total: 4 through 3 innings.
6⃣ Bottom of the 3rd: Alabama Adds One More
- Two-out RBI single (hit that drives in a run) → 3-0 Alabama.
7⃣ Top of the 4th: Nolensville Finally Breaks Through!
- Hollis Smith lays down a bunt single (soft tap, beats the throw) → First hit & first baserunner of the game for Nolensville!
- But Rasmus shuts the door — no more runners.
8⃣ Bottom of the 4th: Pitching Change for Nolensville
- Brooks Cameron (Alabama) singles.
- Julian Frazier (Nolensville starter) hits his pitch limit (max throws allowed for safety).
- Line: 3⅔ IP, 3 runs, 5 hits, 3 walks, 4 Ks.
- Hudson Van Horn comes in to pitch.
9⃣ Top of the 5th: So Close for Nolensville
- Callen Williams — tournament hit king with 9 hits — bunts for a single.
- That’s Nolensville’s 2nd hit of the game.
- But they strand the runner (leave him on base) → Still no runners in scoring position all game.
Bottom of the 5th: Insurance Run
- Alabama adds a sacrifice fly (fly ball deep enough for runner to tag up and score) → 4-0 Alabama.
Key Players & Performances
| Player | Team | Role | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinley Rasmus | Alabama | Pitcher | 5 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs, 4+ Ks, daughter of ex-MLB’er |
| Julian Frazier | Nolensville | Starter | 3⅔ IP, 3 runs, 4 Ks, hit pitch limit |
| Hudson Van Horn | Nolensville | Reliever | Entered in 4th inning |
| Callen Williams | Nolensville | Hitter | 9 tournament hits, bunt single in 5th |
| Hollis Smith | Nolensville | Hitter | First Nolensville hit (bunt single, 4th) |
| Brooks Cameron | Alabama | Hitter | Single in 4th inning |
What’s at Stake?
- Winner → Little League World Series (Aug 19–29, South Williamsport, PA)
- Loser → Season ends
- This was the Southeast Regional Final — one of 10 U.S. regionals feeding the World Series.
Summary
- Final Score (after 5 innings): Alabama 4, Nolensville 0
- Rain delay: ~4 hours (2 PM → ~5:50 PM start)
- Alabama pitcher Kinley Rasmus was dominant: 2 hits allowed, 0 runs, multiple strikeouts.
- Nolensville managed only 2 hits (both bunt singles) and never had a runner in scoring position.
- Alabama scored via small ball: wild pitch, steal of home, RBI single, sacrifice fly.
- Nolensville starter Julian Frazier hit his pitch limit in the 4th; Hudson Van Horn relieved.
- Alabama advances to the Little League World Series!
FAQ
1. What is a "pitch limit" and why does it matter?
In Little League, pitchers have a maximum number of pitches they can throw in a game/day to protect young arms. Once Frazier hit his limit, he had to come out — it’s a safety rule.
2. What does "went down in order" mean?
It means three batters came up, three batters made outs — no one reached base. Quick inning!
3. What’s a "sacrifice fly"?
A batter hits a fly ball to the outfield that’s caught, but it’s deep enough for a runner on 3rd base to tag up (touch the base after the catch) and run home safely. The batter "sacrifices" their at-bat to score the run.
4. Why was there a 4-hour rain delay?
Heavy rain made the field too wet and unsafe to play. Crews needed time to dry the infield, check drainage, and ensure player safety.
5. What happens next for Alabama?
They’ll travel to South Williamsport, Pennsylvania for the Little League World Series starting August 19, where they’ll face other regional champions from around the U.S. and the world!
Reporter: Paul Skrbina (The Tennessean)
Live updates provided throughout the game via USA TODAY Network.