Johnston County Little League captured the 2026 Little League Softball World Series on Sunday, blanking Kentucky 2-0 at Stallings Stadium in Greenville. The Clayton-based squad delivered North Carolina softball its fourth title in tournament history.
Anna-Lynn Clark Anchors North Carolina in the Circle
NC right-hander Anna-Lynn Clark went the distance again for her team, scattering three hits and striking out six across 93 pitches. That effort came less than 24 hours after her 109-pitch, 11-strikeout shutout of Florida. Clark finished the tournament with 41 strikeouts — the most in the field.
Across the diamond, Kentucky's Michaela Knight kept pace for stretches. The right-hander gave up two unearned runs on three hits in a five-inning complete game. Her tournament ERA closed at 0.25.
The thin margin meant every run mattered. Belle Cox opened the scoring with a single in the bottom of the second. An error plated North Carolina's second run an inning later. From there, defense took over.
Right fielder Abbey Robinson snagged two inning-ending catches. First baseman Scarlett Cerda then turned an unassisted double play in the fourth.
Kentucky answered with an outfield assist from Finley Beaven and back-to-back diving grabs. Still, North Carolina hung on for the win, nabbing its fourth title since 1974.
