SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — You’d imagine a team that scored 14 runs and being one win away from reaching the Little League World Series final would be more excited than they were.
Not if it took too long to get to the end of the game.
It needs to be emphasized that Paseo Verde is thrilled to be in the U.S. championship game after a surprising 14-6 win over Davenport Northwest (Iowa) at Lamade Stadium on Wednesday.
The players were all smiles when they placed the Mountain Region nameplate on the giant ESPN bracket outside the stadium.
Those smiles were hard to find after Paseo Verde gave up six runs, all with two outs, in the bottom of the sixth.
Yes, the game was well in hand, especially after Paseo Verde scored nine runs in the top half of the inning to make it 14-0.
It’s still going to be a teaching moment heading into Saturday when Paseo Verde tries to send a team from Nevada to the championship game for the second year in a row.
“Obviously, there’s some frustrations,” manager Cory Edwards said.
More surprise than frustration is Edwards’ son, Logan, allowing an earned run for the first time all tournament after pitching stellar in relief the first two games.
Logan Edwards got Paseo Verde one out away from completing a dominant shutout. He couldn’t slam the door, giving up four runs on four hits.
“I think it just speaks to what we’ve always taught,” Cory Edwards said. “When you’re on the mound and you can’t have command, then you’re no good. It doesn’t matter how hard you throw or what else you got.
“You have to be able to pitch. You’re not a thrower. It’s something we preach and talk about all the time.”
It was a sour moment in what was an otherwise electric five-and-a-half innings for Paseo Verde.
It also took Iowa taking out starting pitcher Cooper Thissen after striking out 10 in 3.2 innings while pitching a no-hitter for Paseo Verde to get going, but it happened.
It’s also human nature to let off the gas with a 14-run lead. It was a good reminder, in Edwards’ eyes, that the game isn’t over until the last out.
“I think, given the score, maybe (Logan) thought he was going to get by the 10, 11, 12 (hitters). There’s no gifts here,” Edwards said. “I think it’s a great teaching moment. That’s what I’m going to discuss, not just him, but anybody else who wants to listen.”
Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.
