Nolensville's Stella Weaver: Get to know only girl at 2023 Little League World Series

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Stella Weaver is the first girl in the history of Nolensville Little League and the only girl in this year's Little League World Series. On Friday afternoon, she will play her first World Series game when her team faces Rhode Island at 1 p.m. CST.

Weaver and her teammates play for Randy Huth, the first U.S. manager in history to take a program to three consecutive World Series. Nolensville did not place in 2021, and finished fourth last year.

Weaver, who will become the 22nd girl to play in the Little League World Series, has been known to hit a home run or two and strike out a boy or two.

Here are five things to know about Stella Weaver:

Stella Weaver's sports idol is Little League World Series star Mo'ne Davis

In 2014, Davis became the first girl to earn a pitching victory in Little League World Series history when she defeated South Nashville, the former iteration of Nolensville Little League. Weaver, whose fastball has been clocked at 68 mph, is hoping to join Davis on that list at this year's Series. Davis sent Weaver a good-luck video message before Nolensville defeated Florida for the Southeast Region championship.

Stella Weaver wore No. 26

Before the 12-year-old became No. 12 at the Little League World Series, Weaver wore No. 26. She chose the number because her birthday is Feb. 6.

Stella Weaver comes from a long line of athletes

Weaver's father, Matt, was a soccer goalie at Lafayette College. Her grandfather, Ray Weaver, was a quarterback at Holy Cross. Her aunt Elaine was captain of the basketball team at John Carroll University. Her uncle Russ was a receiver/tight end for Maryland. Her uncle Alex played volleyball for Penn State.

Stella Weaver hits her first home run

Weaver hit her first baseball home run on March 26, 2022 at Cane Ridge Park in Antioch, the same field where her older brother Henry hit his first home run.

Stella Weaver has a legit fastball

One of the hardest throwers on this year's Nolensville team, Weaver's 68 mph fastball is equivalent to roughly a 90 mph fastball from a pitcher throwing from 60 feet, 6 inches away.

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Meet Stella Weaver, girl pitcher at 2023 Little League World Series