There’s another sports team to celebrate in Southern Nevada.
On Saturday, Paseo Verde won the U.S. Championship at the Little League World Series. They defeated Hamilton, Ohio, of the Great Lakes Region, 12-2. Starting pitcher Owen Guzman starred on the mound and in the batter’s box. He pitched 3⅔ innings and went 3-for-3 with an RBI. Catcher Maddox Bryan had a two-run single that started the scoring onslaught. Mr. Bryan hit another RBI single in the bottom of the fifth that ended the game via mercy rule. He ended up with eight RBIs in Williamsport.
Things didn’t go quite as smoothly for the team on Sunday. They lost the Little League World Series championship to Curaçao, 11-2. It’s the second year in a row that a Southern Nevada team has raised this U.S. banner only to fall short. Last year, Summerlin South won the U.S. Championship before falling to Chinese Taipei.
Paseo Verde has so much to be proud of over the past month. Before Sunday’s game, the team went 14-0 through tournaments at the district, state and regional level and won four games at the Little League World Series.
The first game of the Little League World Series showcased the team’s resilience. Playing a weather-delayed game against that same Hamilton team, Paseo Verde at one point trailed 5-2. The team didn’t panic. It rallied with timely hits from outfielder Michael Kleiner and Mr. Bryan.
The team won its next two games in strong fashion, 5-0 and 14-6, which led to their victory for the U.S. Championship. Key hits and teamwork powered Paseo Verde’s offensive outbursts. It didn’t hit a home run in any of its LLWS games. Throughout the tournament, its defense turned a LLWS-record six double plays. That’s the sign of strong pitching and a well-coached team. Manager Cory Edwards provided a steady hand, along with assistant coach Lynn Cowley. Bill Senne, the team’s other assistant coach, capped a 25-year career with Little League in storybook fashion. The parents and supporters of these players deserve a shout-out as well. These aren’t professional athletes, and their families should be recognized for all they did to support the team.
Mr. Edwards warned he might get emotional if he talked about how proud he was of his team.
“They’re 12,” he said. “I hope it’s not the best experience of their lives, but I’m sure it’s going to be Top 10 or up there.
“I hope they take with them that they can conquer and do anything.”
It was a thrill to watch them on the diamond. Paseo Verde made Southern Nevada proud.
