The Davenport, Iowa, team representing the Midwest region delivered a 6-0 victory over Bayonne, New Jersey, at the Little League World Series on Sunday afternoon in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, behind a dominant pitching performance from Anthony Johnson Jr.
Pitching gem propels Iowa
Johnson, the Iowa starter, recorded 15 strikeouts in the game, stifling Bayonne’s offense and keeping the New Jersey squad off the scoreboard. The shutout gave Davenport a decisive win and left Bayonne to continue its tournament in the elimination bracket.
The result kept the Midwest champions in the winners’ side of the bracket, while Bayonne — making its first-ever appearance at the World Series in the program’s 75-year history — suffered its first loss of the season. Bayonne had opened the tournament with two wins over Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and West Chester, Pennsylvania.
What Sunday’s game means
- Davenport, Iowa advances without a loss and maintains its position in the winners’ bracket.
- Bayonne, N.J. moves to the elimination bracket and will face another U.S. regional winner to remain in the tournament.
- Local supporters from Bayonne have traveled in large numbers to Williamsport; the run has energized the community back home.
Bayonne’s next opponent will be determined by the outcome of a game between Boerne, Texas (Southwest) and Hamilton, Ohio (Great Lakes). Their scheduled elimination-bracket game is set for Tuesday evening.
"Who would've thought 12-year-old kids from Hudson County would be there? So proud of them," a Bayonne fan said Friday.
Bayonne Mayor Sharon Nadrowski greeted the team’s accomplishments with civic pride: "We're so proud of them, and we're looking to go all the way," she said as the city rallied behind its young squad. Busloads of fans traveled roughly three hours to Williamsport, and watch parties in Bayonne have been packed throughout the tournament.
Stat snapshot
| Team | Runs | Notable pitching stat |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport, Iowa | 6 | Anthony Johnson Jr.: 15 K |
| Bayonne, New Jersey | 0 | — |
Johnson’s performance stands out among the weekend’s results; national coverage noted both Davenport and Willemstad, Curacao, threw combined no-hitters on Friday, and Iowa’s weekend has been characterized by strong pitching and timely offense.
Local reaction and implications
Back in Bayonne, the club’s deep run has been treated as a historic civic moment. The team’s first state title and Metro regional championship earlier this year set the stage for the World Series berth, and the community response has underscored how youth sports can galvanize a city.
For Davenport and the Iowa program, Sunday’s win continues a broader narrative of strong pitching and fundamentals. The 6-0 result leaves the Midwest representative well positioned as the tournament advances, while Bayonne will need to regroup quickly if it hopes to extend its landmark appearance.
Fans following the bracket should note these immediate takeaways:
- Bayonne remains alive but must win in the elimination side to stay in the World Series.
- Davenport’s pitching depth, highlighted by Johnson, will be a focal point for opponents preparing for a likely matchup with other top U.S. regional champions.
The Little League World Series continues through Aug. 30 with the U.S. and international champions meeting in the final. For the players from Iowa and New Jersey, the coming days will determine whether their summer ends with a headline-making championship or a celebrated run that falls short of the title.
— Meredith Kowalski, State Correspondent
