08/22/2026
CHEERING ON IOWA!!! 👏👏 This Davenport team is on fire!
IOWA STUNS CALIFORNIA IN AN ABSOLUTE PITCHING CLASSIC, 1-0
Three pitches.
That’s all it took for Cooper Thissen to completely change this game.
On the third pitch of the game, the Davenport, Iowa star launched a solo home run — and somehow, that was all the offense anyone would see.
From there, Thissen and Sweetwater Valley ace Noah Kirk turned one of the most anticipated U.S. matchups of the opening round into an unbelievable pitchers’ duel.
Kirk was sensational for Sweetwater Valley, striking out 13 in 4⅔ innings, allowing just two hits and one run. After Thissen’s opening blast, Kirk essentially slammed the door.
The problem?
Thissen was even better.
The Iowa left-hander carried a no-hitter into the sixth, striking out 15 over 5⅓ innings. Davenport pitching ultimately finished with 17 strikeouts and no hits allowed in a combined no-hitter.
And yet Sweetwater Valley nearly pulled off an incredible escape in the sixth.
California entered its final at-bat still without a hit, but Sebastian Pino walked. Asher Giglio walked. Julian Sevilla walked. Suddenly, Sweetwater Valley had the bases loaded with one out in a 1-0 game.
Davenport went to Anthony Johnson Jr.
He struck out Mateo Ruiz looking.
Two outs.
Bases still loaded.
Then Johnson got James Griffin looking to end it.
Ballgame. No-hitter. 1-0 Iowa.
Sweetwater Valley finished with 0 hits, 5 walks and 17 strikeouts. Davenport managed only two hits of its own.
And the difference between the two best American pitchers in Williamsport?
The third pitch of the entire game.
Cooper Thissen: 5⅓ IP, 0 H, 0 R, 15 K.
Noah Kirk: 4⅔ IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 13 K.
An absolutely ridiculous Little League World Series pitching duel — and Davenport, Iowa takes down Sweetwater Valley, California, 1-0.
Photos courtesy of Little League Baseball and Softball
