LLWS 2026 Game 26 Recap: Southeast 4, Northwest 2
Alabama avenged its tournament-opening loss with a 4-2 win over Washington at Lamade Stadium. Kinley Rasmus went 2-for-3 at the plate, scoring a run and driving in another. Her fifth hit of the tournament, coming in the fifth inning, broke the LLWS record for most total hits by a girl.
Jerry Taylor started on the mound for Alabama, with Cedric Harrison Jr. closing out the win in relief. Phenix City has now won three straight games and advances to an elimination game Wednesday. Washington’s tournament run ends after falling short in the rematch.
Kinley Rasmus Breaks the Hits Record
Rasmus delivered her record-breaking hit in the bottom of the fifth inning, her fifth of the tournament, setting a new mark for most total hits by a girl in LLWS history. She finished the game 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI, continuing a historic run through Williamsport that has included both bat and glove.
A record-setting week: One day earlier, Rasmus tied the LLWS record for most career strikeouts by a girl while pitching in relief during Alabama’s extra-innings win over Pennsylvania. She did not pitch in this game, resting after throwing 54 pitches on Monday, but her bat carried the offense instead.
Jerry Taylor Anchors the Win
Jerry Taylor started for Alabama and gave the team five solid innings, striking out three while allowing four hits. Cedric Harrison Jr. came on in relief to close out the win as Washington pushed late. Washington threatened in the closing innings but could not complete the comeback against Alabama’s pitching staff.
A rematch settled: Washington had opened Alabama’s tournament with a win in their first meeting, a game in which Rasmus tied Mo’ne Davis’s single-game strikeout record for a girl while striking out eight over six shutout innings. This time, Alabama turned the tables to move to 3-1 on the tournament.
How the Game Unfolded
| Stretch | Key Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Early Innings | Alabama loads the bases in the first inning. Jerry Taylor keeps Washington off balance on the mound through the middle innings. | SE 1-2, NW 0 |
| 5th Inning | Kinley Rasmus delivers her record-breaking fifth hit of the tournament, driving in a run and later scoring one herself. | SE 4, NW 0-1 |
| Late Innings | Washington rallies for two runs late, but Cedric Harrison Jr. closes out the win for Alabama. | Final: SE 4, NW 2 |
Game 26 Box Score
| Team | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast, Alabama | 4 | TBD | TBD |
| Northwest, Washington | 2 | 4 | TBD |
| Pitcher | Team | IP | H | K | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Taylor | Southeast | 5 | 4 | 3 | Win |
| Cedric Harrison Jr. | Southeast | TBD | TBD | TBD | Save |
| Key Hit | Player | Team | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Record-Breaking Hit | Kinley Rasmus | Southeast | 5th hit of the tournament, most by a girl in LLWS history |
Next Games for Southeast and Northwest
Alabama’s path forward: Phenix City Little League has now won three straight games, riding Kinley Rasmus’s record-setting performances on both sides of the ball. Alabama moves on to another elimination game Wednesday, where Rasmus may again factor into the outcome. Washington’s tournament run comes to a close after the rematch loss.
Conclusion
Alabama beat Washington 4-2 in Game 26 of the 2026 LLWS, avenging its tournament-opening loss to the same opponent. Kinley Rasmus went 2-for-3 and broke the LLWS record for most hits by a girl with her fifth hit of the tournament. Jerry Taylor and Cedric Harrison Jr. combined to hold off Washington’s late push.
Alabama advances to another elimination game Wednesday, having now won three straight at the 2026 LLWS. Washington’s tournament run ends after falling in the rematch. Rasmus continues to make history on both the mound and at the plate as Alabama’s run deepens.
