With Greenville, North Carolina, hosting the Little League Softball® World Series (LLSWS) for the third–consecutive year on August 6-13, it’s time to get to know the 12 teams that will play for a championship banner this year. For the second time as part of the expanded bracket, the LLSWS will feature eight U.S. teams and four International teams. Read more about these Girls with Game below:
Central Region: Austintown (Ohio) Little League
Austintown Little League lost its only game in the Central Region tournament at the hands of Iowa in its first game, but was able to rebound and defeat Iowa, 4-0, in the championship game. Throughout the Central Region tournament, Austintown Little League was able to tally an impressive 6-1 record, facing elimination in every game after its first. Austintown Little League pitcher, Mila Hamley, threw a complete-game shutout in the Central Region tournament championship.
Mid-Atlantic Region: Massapequa (N.Y.) International Little League
Massapequa International Little League went 4-0 in the Mid-Atlantic Region softball tournament, defeating its opponents with its strong hitting and defensive performances. Throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region tournament, Massapequa International Little League outscored opponents 19-4. Massapequa International Little League punched its ticket to the Little League Softball World Series with its win over Pennsylvania, 7-0, plating six of those runs in the first inning.
Northwest Region: Bend (Ore.) North Little League
Despite dropping its first matchup to Montana in the Northwest Region tournament, Bend North Little League was able to bounce back and win the championship game against them, 8-4, to earn a trip to Greenville. Lily Christensen powered a three-run home run, and Jessie Berry hit a bases-clearing triple to help the Bend North team capture the Region title. Janelle Guiney’s pitching also aided Bend North LL throughout the Northwest Region tournament to accomplish a 4-1 record.
Southwest Region: Midway Little League (Hewitt, Texas)
Midway Little League is in the hunt for its second-straight Little League Softball World Series title after winning the Southwest Region tournament again this summer. During the Region Tournament, Midway Little League went 4-0, defeating Texas East two times during the run, most prominently, 6-0, in the championship. Midway Little League’s roster consists of nine returning players from last year’s LLSWS championship team. Since the Southwest Region was formed in 2002, Midway Little League has won the LLSWS four times and finished as a runner-up once.
North Carolina (Host) Region: Rowan Little League (Salisbury, N.C.)
Rowan Little League looks to win its third Little League Softball World Series championship title since 2015. In July, Rowan Little League was able to defeat Mallard Creek Little League, 2-1, to take the North Carolina State Championship game and earn a spot for the 2023 LLSWS as the host region. Pitt County (N.C.) Girls Softball Little League ended up defeating Mallard Creek Little League to advance to the Southeast Region Tournament, representing North Carolina.
North Carolina (Host) Region Team Page
New England Region: Milford (Conn.) Little League
For the second year in a row, Milford Little League was able to secure its spot in the Little League Softball World Series, despite having 10 new players on this year’s roster. Throughout the New England Region tournament, Milford Little League went 3-0 and dominated its opponents at the plate. Milford Little League outscored its opponents, 35-3, in the Region tournament.
Southeast Region: Pitt County (N.C.) Girls Softball Little League
Pitt County Girls Softball Little League was able to clinch a spot in the Little League Softball World Series for the second year in a row. However, Pitt County Girls Softball Little League is entering the LLSWS as Southeast Region Champions this year, rather than the host team title they took in 2022. Playing its regular season just 10 miles down the road from Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park, Pitt County Girls Softball Little League went 4-0 in the Region tournament. Pitt County Girls Softball Little League defeated Tennessee, 3-0, in the championship game to earn its spot in the 2023 LLSWS.
West Region: Almaden (Calif.) Little League
Almaden Little League lost its first game of the West Region tournament to Southern California, 11-4, but was able to rally through the elimination bracket to face Southern California again in the Region championship. The pitching trio of Maya Parada, Auzerais Garibaldi-Munoz, and Jayda Drake held Southern California to only four hits in the championship. Jayda was able to dial in and record two key strikeouts to send Almaden Little League to the 2023 Little League Softball World Series by defeating Southern California, 2-1.
Asia-Pacific Region: Negros Occidental Little League (Bacolod City, Philippines)
For the second year in a row, Negros Occidental Little League has taken claim of the Asia-Pacific Region and is back in the Little League Softball World Series. The Asia-Pacific Region champions look to become the first team from the region to claim a LLSWS championship banner.
Latin America Region: Guayama (Puerto Rico) Softball Little League
Guayama Softball Little League is heading to its second-straight Little League Softball World Series, after defeating Mexico, 3-2, in the 2023 Latin America Region Tournament Championship. Prior to 2022, the last time a team from Puerto Rico was represented the Latin America Region in the LLSWS was 2017.
Latin America Region Team Page
Canada Region: St. Albert (Alberta) Softball Little League
St. Albert Softball Little League is returning to the LLSWS after not dropping a game in the Canada Region tournament. Throughout the region tournament, St. Albert Softball Little League went 3-0 and defeated Quebec, 4-2, in the region championship.
Europe and Africa Region: Lombardia Little League (Milano, Italy)
For the second-straight year, a team from Italy will be heading the Little League Softball World Series. This year, it was Lombardia Little League who was crowned the 2023 Europe and Africa Region Champions, finishing with a 4-1 record and defeating Bohemia, 6-3, in the championship game.
Europe and Africa Region Team Page
The 12 teams above will kick off the first-round of 2023 Little League Softball® World Series in Greenville on August 6, with coverage airing on the ESPN platforms as part of the #SummerOfSoftball. More information about the 2023 Little League® World Series tournaments, including full schedules and downloadable brackets, can be found at LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries.