LLWS 2026 Game 16 Recap: Southeast Alabama 12, West California 2

Phenix City Youth Baseball Little League from Alabama beat Sweetwater Valley Little League from Bonita, California, 12-2 in Game 16 at Lamade Stadium. The dominant win eliminated California from the 2026 LLWS and sent Alabama into the second round of the US bracket. Both teams entered Saturday’s game after opening-round losses.

Alabama’s Kinley Rasmus continued her standout tournament run with another strong pitching performance. The 12-2 final score triggered the LLWS run rule in the sixth inning, ending the game early. Alabama moves forward in the US bracket. California’s 2026 LLWS journey ends in Williamsport.

Both Teams Entered Game 16 With Their Backs Against the Wall

Alabama’s extra-innings loss in Game 2: Kinley Rasmus struck out 8 batters across six innings in Alabama’s Game 2 opener against Washington, tying Mo’ne Davis’ all-time LLWS strikeout record for a girl. Washington won 2-0 in seven innings on a Kasen Workman single and an error in the seventh. Alabama entered Game 16 determined to extend their tournament run.

Kinley Rasmus – Tournament’s Breakout Player

Kinley Rasmus is the pitcher and shortstop for Phenix City Youth Baseball Little League. She is the daughter of manager Case Rasmus and the niece of former MLB outfielder Colby Rasmus. She struck out 8 batters against Washington in Game 2, tying Mo’ne Davis’ 2014 LLWS record for strikeouts by a girl in a single game.

Game 16 against California gave Rasmus her second chance to pitch at Williamsport. Alabama scored 12 runs to support her on the mound. The 10-run margin triggered the mercy rule and ended the game before the full six innings were played. Rasmus and Alabama advance into the second round of the US elimination bracket.

Mo’ne Davis comparison: Mo’ne Davis threw a complete-game shutout with 8 strikeouts for Philadelphia’s Taney LL in 2014, becoming the first girl to win a game and throw a shutout at the LLWS. Kinley Rasmus tied that strikeout mark in Game 2 against Washington. The comparison between the two players has been a major storyline throughout Alabama’s 2026 run at Williamsport.

Sweetwater Valley LL – California’s 2026 LLWS Run Ends

Sweetwater Valley Little League from Bonita, California, represents the West Region at the 2026 LLWS. Noah Kirk is the team’s standout pitcher entering the tournament. California entered Game 16 having lost their first game and needing a win to survive in the double-elimination bracket format.

Alabama’s 12-run output was too much for California to overcome. Sweetwater Valley finishes its 2026 LLWS run eliminated in Game 16. The West Region champion from Bonita exits Williamsport with a tournament record of 0-2 after two straight losses in the US bracket.

Sweetwater Valley LL history: Sweetwater Valley Little League from Bonita, California, has appeared at the LLWS multiple times. The program sits in San Diego County and consistently produces West Region championship teams. Their 2026 LLWS appearance continues the program’s strong record of qualifying for Williamsport in recent years.

Game 16 Box Score

Alabama Advances – California Goes Home

Alabama stays alive in the US elimination bracket with the win. They face Mid-Atlantic Pennsylvania’s East Side Little League in Game 24 on Monday, August 24 at 7:00 PM ET. Pennsylvania also enters Game 24 from the elimination bracket after losing Game 12 to New Jersey. One of the two teams will be eliminated on Monday night at Lamade Stadium.

Conclusion

Alabama beat California 12-2 in Game 16 to eliminate the West Region from the 2026 LLWS. The run rule ended the game in the sixth inning after Alabama scored 12 runs. Kinley Rasmus continued her dominant tournament showing for Phenix City Youth Baseball Little League.

California’s Sweetwater Valley LL from Bonita finishes 0-2 at the 2026 LLWS. Alabama advances to face Pennsylvania’s East Side Little League on Monday, August 24, at 7:00 PM ET at Lamade Stadium. The loser of that game is eliminated from the 2026 LLWS US bracket.