The 2026 Little League World Series continuted with another exciting day of action — and a bit of history. On Friday, two different teams threw combined no-hitters, with both teams achieving the feat just a few minutes apart in Williamsport
Davenport Northwest from Davenport, Iowa (representing the Midwest region) started things with a no-hit defeat of Sweetwater Valley of Bonita, California (representing the West). Shortly afterwards, Curaçao representative Pariba pulled off a big win over Joto, Japan's representative from Tokyo.
Iowa's win came largely at the hands of starting pitcher Cooper Thissen. Thissen had a wild game, throwing 15 strikeouts across six innings. He also scored Iowa's sole run with a leadoff solo homer in the bottom of the first — after striking out the side.
Can't ask for a better start than that!
🔥 Struck out the side pitching in the top of the inning
🔥 Homered at the plate to start the bottom of the inning
Look at what it means to Cooper Thissen 👏 pic.twitter.com/GN9khRB7pj
But in the top of the sixth, trouble struck: Thissen, who hit 90 pitches thrown, walked two of California's batters. Anthony Johnson Jr. then stepped in to close out the game, but allowed another walk.
That set up a high-pressure situation for Johnson, with the bases loaded and the game-tying run on third. But the young reliever stayed cool, striking out the next two batters and securing a stunning 1-0 win.
Iowa completes the combined no-hitter! 🔥
Anthony Johnson Jr. finishes the job after Cooper Thissen struck out 15 in less than 6 innings 👏 pic.twitter.com/9AhrsA7uZ7
Meanwhile, right next door, Curaçao was pulling off another combined no-no, with the team cruising to a 6-0 win over Japan. Jaymiëll Martina kicked things off by pitching 4 2/3 no-hit innings, striking out seven of 16 batters faced. Reliever Giendry Ryan then closed out the last 1 1/3 innings for a big victory.
The second combined no-hitter of the day 🙌
Jaymiell Martina and Giendry Ryan helped Curacao throw its third no-no in LLWS history! pic.twitter.com/twNwHQwibC
Given the double elimination tournament, Friday's wins lets Iowa and Curaçao advance in the winners' bracket. Meanwhile, California will move to the elimination bracket and face the Southeast team, from Phenix City, Alabama. Japan will compete against Los Nacionales from the Dominican Republic, which is representing the Caribbean region.
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