Alabama Wins Thrilling Extra-Innings Game Over Pennsylvania at Little League World Series

Final Score: Alabama 6, Pennsylvania 5 (7 Innings)

Game Overview

What happened?
In a do-or-die elimination game at the 2026 Little League World Series, Alabama erased a 5‑0 deficit, forced extra innings, and won on a walk‑off hit by Brooks Cameron.

Why it matters

• This was a win‑or‑go‑home game—loser goes home.
• Alabama became the first team in this year’s tournament to overcome a 5‑run deficit and win in extra innings.
• The game showcased Kinley Rasmus, a breakout star who tied a historic strikeout record earlier in the tournament.

Before the Game: The Rasmus Family Connection

• Kinley Rasmus (Alabama’s star pitcher) is the daughter of former Major Leaguer Cory Rasmus.
• In her LLWS debut, she threw 6 shutout innings, struck out 8 batters (tying Mo’ne Davis’s 2014 record for most strikeouts by a girl in a single LLWS game), and allowed only 1 hit.
• Her cousin, Ryker Rasmus, got the starting nod on the mound for Alabama in this elimination game.

Fun Fact: The Rasmus family is quickly becoming a Little League dynasty!

Inning-by-Inning Breakdown

1⃣ 1st Inning – Pennsylvania Strikes First

• Top half: Pennsylvania’s Cole Warner singles; Ryan Hennessey walks. Dillon DiGiulio triples to right field, scoring both runners. Pennsylvania 2, Alabama 0.
• Bottom half: Alabama goes down in order (three fly outs) on just four pitches from PA pitcher Ryan Donnelly.

2⃣ 2nd Inning – Quiet on Both Sides

• Alabama’s Ryker Rasmus hits a batter and walks another, but a mound visit calms him down. He retires the next three batters (line out, strikeout, fielder’s choice).
• Pennsylvania’s defense also retires Alabama 1‑2‑3 (ground out, strikeout, pop fly).
• Score remains 2‑0 Pennsylvania.

3⃣ 3rd Inning – Fireworks on Both Sides

Top half (Pennsylvania blows it open):

• Ryan Donnelly doubles. Ryan Hennessey doubles him home → 3‑0.
• Alabama switches pitchers: Easton Allen enters.
• Cole Warner crushes a home run over center field (scoring Hennessey) → 5‑0 Pennsylvania.

Bottom half (Alabama’s miraculous rally):

• Alabama brings in Kinley Rasmus to pitch. She snags a comebacker and turns a lightning‑fast double play to end the top half.
• With two outs, Alabama erupts:
  1. Lorenzo Quintero hit by pitch.
  2. Jerry Taylor singles to center.
  3. Layton Burt walks (bases loaded).
  4. Cooper Champion singles to right field → 2 runs score (5‑2).
  5. Easton Allen singles → Burt scores (5‑4).
  6. Kinley Rasmus (yes, the pitcher!) singles to left → Allen scores, game tied 5‑5.
• Inning ends when Urijah Berklite strikes out (catcher drops third strike, thrown out at first).

4⃣ 4th Inning – A Breather

• Pennsylvania: three up, three down against Kinley Rasmus.
• Alabama: Casen Smith singles, but a double play (grounder to shortstop Ryan Donnelly) ends the threat.
• Score still tied 5‑5.

5⃣ 5th Inning – Alabama Threatens, Warner Escapes

• Alabama loads the bases with no outs (automatic runner Berklite, bunt single by Smith, intentional walk to Cam Lee).
• Pennsylvania’s Cole Warner (who homered earlier) strikes out the next three batters (Taylor, Burt, Champion) to keep the game tied.

6⃣ 6th Inning – Still Tied, Headed to Extras

• Both offenses go quietly. Game remains 5‑5 after six innings → Extra innings!

7⃣ 7th Inning (Extra Innings) – Alabama Walks It Off

• International tie‑breaker rule: Each half‑inning starts with a runner on second (last batter from previous inning).
• Alabama’s turn:
  1. Automatic runner Urijah Berklite starts at second.
  2. Casen Smith expertly bunts → Berklite to third, Smith safe at first.
  3. Cam Lee intentionally walked → bases loaded, no outs.
  4. Cedric Harrison Jr. strikes out.
  5. Brooks Cameron steps up and lines a single to center field.
  6. Berklite scores easily → Alabama wins 6‑5!

Key Players

Important Points

CALL OUT: Why This Game Was Historic

• Largest comeback in this year’s LLWS (down 5‑0).
• First extra‑innings walk‑off of the tournament.
• Kinley Rasmus became the first girl to pitch, hit a game‑tying single, and turn a double play in the same LLWS game.
• Cole Warner did something rare: hit a home run AND strike out the side with the bases loaded in the same game.

Summary

Alabama faced elimination against Pennsylvania at the 2026 Little League World Series. After falling behind 5‑0 in the third inning—courtesy of a Cole Warner home run—the team rallied behind cousin duo Ryker and Kinley Rasmus. Kinley sparked the comeback with a defensive gem and a game‑tying hit. Neither team scored in the 4th, 5th, or 6th innings, sending the game to extra innings. In the 7th, Alabama loaded the bases and Brooks Cameron delivered the winning hit, sending Alabama to the next round and Pennsylvania home.

FAQ

1. What is the Little League World Series (LLWS)?
It’s an annual baseball tournament for children aged 10‑12, held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Teams from around the world compete for the championship.

2. How does extra innings work in Little League?
Starting in the 7th inning (or earlier if time limits apply), each half‑inning begins with a runner on second base (the last batter from the previous inning). This speeds up the game and creates immediate scoring chances.

3. Who is Kinley Rasmus and why is she famous?
Kinley is a 12‑year‑old pitcher for Alabama. She’s the daughter of former MLB pitcher Cory Rasmus. In her LLWS debut, she threw 6 shutout innings with 8 strikeouts, tying Mo’ne Davis’s record for most strikeouts by a girl in a single LLWS game.

4. What was the final score and how did Alabama win?
Final: Alabama 6, Pennsylvania 5 (7 innings). Alabama won on a walk‑off single by Brooks Cameron in the bottom of the 7th inning with the bases loaded.

5. What does “elimination game” mean?
In the LLWS double‑elimination format, a team that loses two games is out of the tournament. This game was a “win‑or‑go‑home” matchup for both teams—each had already lost once.

Alabama advances!
Stay tuned for their next matchup in the LLWS bracket.