ARCHER LODGE — The Johnston County 12U Softball All-Stars have breezed through the state tournament so far, winning games against Blue Ridge Mountains and Forest City by a combined tally of 26-0.

This has clinched the team a spot in the state championship against Rowan County Thursday night at 7:30 at Archer Lodge Town Park.

In addition to earning the 2026 North Carolina Little League Softball state title, the winner of this game advances directly to the Little League World Series, set for in Greenville in August. The loser will still have the chance to earn a berth into the Southeast Regional, which provides its own potential path to the World Series.

“They have an extremely deep pitching staff,” Ronnie Correia, President of the Johnston County Little League, said. “They also have a lot of girls that have played within the league since they were nine and 10 years old.”