LLWS 2026 Game 19 Recap: Midwest 6, Metro 0
Iowa shut out New Jersey 6-0 in Game 19 behind another dominant outing from Anthony Johnson Jr. He struck out 15 batters from the mound and added a three-run homer in the top of the sixth inning. Davenport remains unbeaten through three games at the 2026 LLWS.
Iowa has now outscored its first three opponents by a wide margin, following an earlier combined no-hitter over California. New Jersey drops into the elimination bracket after managing just a single hit. Davenport next faces Nevada on Wednesday.
Anthony Johnson Jr. Strikes Out 15 and Homers
Johnson dominated New Jersey’s lineup from the mound, striking out 15 batters over the course of the game. He also delivered the offensive blow, launching a three-run home run in the top of the sixth inning. The two-way performance put the result out of reach for New Jersey.
Iowa’s pitching depth: Johnson’s outing follows a combined no-hitter earlier in the tournament, in which he closed out a tense, bases-loaded finish against California. Davenport has now leaned on a deep rotation of power arms through its first three games of the 2026 LLWS.
New Jersey Held to a Single Hit
New Jersey’s offense managed just one hit all game against Iowa’s pitching. The Bayonne club also committed an error that added to a difficult night in the field. New Jersey now shifts to the elimination bracket, where it must win out to keep its tournament alive.
Iowa’s complete effort: Davenport backed up Johnson’s strikeouts with eight hits of its own and played errorless defense. The combination of dominant pitching, clean fielding, and Johnson’s home run made for one of Iowa’s most complete games of the tournament so far.
How the Game Unfolded, Inning by Inning
| Inning | Key Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1st–5th | Anthony Johnson Jr. works through New Jersey’s lineup, racking up strikeouts. Iowa’s offense chips away for a share of its eventual eight hits. | MW 0–3, MET 0 |
| 6th | Johnson steps to the plate and crushes a three-run home run. The blast puts the game firmly out of reach for New Jersey. | MW 6, MET 0 |
| 7th | Johnson closes out the game on the mound to finish with 15 strikeouts on the day. | Final: MW 6, MET 0 |
Game 19 Box Score
| Team | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest, Iowa | 6 | 8 | 0 |
| Metro, New Jersey | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Pitcher | Team | K |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Johnson Jr. | Midwest | 15 |
| Key Hit | Player | Team | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Run HR | Anthony Johnson Jr. | Midwest | Top of the 6th inning, put the game out of reach |
Next Games for Midwest and Metro
Iowa’s path forward: Davenport Northwest Little League stays unbeaten and remains in the winners’ bracket after the shutout win. Iowa now turns its attention to a matchup against Nevada on Wednesday. New Jersey must regroup quickly in the elimination bracket to keep its tournament alive.
Conclusion
Iowa shut out New Jersey 6-0 in Game 19 of the 2026 LLWS behind Anthony Johnson Jr.’s two-way effort. He struck out 15 batters and added a three-run homer in the top of the sixth inning. Davenport remains unbeaten through three games at the World Series.
Iowa advances to face Nevada on Wednesday in the winners’ bracket. New Jersey’s tournament run continues in the elimination bracket, where the team must win every game to survive. Johnson’s performance adds to a strong start for Iowa’s pitching staff in Williamsport.
