Johnston County 12u Softball Team Wins State Championship, Moves on to the Little League Softball World Series on ESPN

Johnston County 12u Softball Team Wins State Championship,
Moves on to the Little League Softball World Series on ESPN

ARCHER LODGE, NC – The Johnston County Little League (JCLL) 12u Softball Team won the State Championship through a 6-0 victory over Rowan Little League on July 9^th and now moves on the 2026 Little League World Series (LLSWS) in Greenville, NC, August 9-12. The State Championship and World Series are firsts for a team from JCLL.
 
The team had three shutouts during the State Championship Tournament, outscoring their opponents, 22-0. In the championship game, Anna-Lynn Clark tossed a one-hit shutout, striking out fourteen batters, while walking only two in route to being named tournament MVP.  
 
Abbey Robinson led all hitters for the tournament with a 2.000 OPS (on base, plus slugging). Kathryn Utech added to the pitching depth with a two-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts in the tournament opener against Blue Ridge Mountains. Belle Cox started the second game against Rutherford, pitching two innings while not allowing a hit. She and Clark combined for a no-hitter in a run-rule shortened game.  
 
“I can’t say enough about the coaching staff of this team,” said Johnston County Little League President Ronnie Correia. “Manager Ben Catarozzoli and assistant coaches Todd Utech and Jerome Godwin have committed a lot to these girls and this team, and the girls have bought into their system. The Little League World Series is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement.”

JCLL (online at https://www.facebook.com/JoCoLittleLeague/) is a youth baseball and softball organization operating primarily out of the Archer Lodge area in NC. The league serves children ages 4 to 12 through multiple divisions through a strategic partnership with the Town of Archer Lodge, using fields located at the Archer Lodge Town Park and the Archer Lodge Community Center. JCLL programs include Tee Ball, Baseball, and Softball. the community has been involved with the Little League program since 1993. JCLL first chartered a softball division in 2023 and has continued to grow since then.
 
Archer Lodge Mayor Pro Tem Clyde Castleberry and his wife, Rhonda, attended all the games in the State Tournament. He said, “The team from Johnston County are girls who have played a long time together, and you could see that. Their fielding, batting, and an attitude that just wins everyone over makes them special and fun to watch. I look forward to seeing them play Canada on August 2^nd. Go JoCo as the NC team!”
 
“We are incredibly proud of the Johnston County Little League 12U Softball Team for making history as State Champions and earning a trip to the Little League Softball World Series. This remarkable achievement reflects the hard work of these young athletes, the dedication of their coaches, the unwavering support of their families, and a community that has invested in youth sports for generations. Our partnership with Johnston County Little League is about more than providing a place to play – it's about creating opportunities for young people to develop confidence, teamwork, and character. As they represent Archer Lodge, Johnston County, and North Carolina on the world stage, they are inspiring the next generation and are showing what can be accomplished when a community comes together to support its youth”, said Archer Lodge Parks and Recreation Director Chris Allen.

The advancement to the World Series through direct entry comes as part of the LLSWS expansion to twelve teams, now in its fifth year of participation involving international teams, sending the North Carolina state champion as the host team for the event. This is the fifth year the Little League Softball World Series (LLSWS) will be held in Greenville, NC.
 
The JCLL team’s first World Series game will be on Sunday, August 2^nd at 7:00 p.m. against Canada. Attendance and parking are free, and the game will also be broadcast on ESPN2.
 
The key information about the World Series is as follows: