When Paseo Verde manager Cory Edwards put his roster together, he felt it was a group that could make an impact one through 12 in the batting order.
The team, comprised of 11 boys and one history-making girl, gave Nevada its second straight U.S. championship in the Little League World Series.
Michael
Kleiner
OF/2B
One of the unsung offensive heroes during Paseo Verde’s run, Kleiner was second on the team with a .545 batting average through five games. His six hits were second most on the team, and his .636 slugging percentage was third-best in the lineup.
Adrian Cruz
SS/2B/OF/P
Cruz was a late addition to the roster in place of Theo Bingham (illness). He made his presence felt early with one of the best defensive plays of the tournament against Tacoma, Washington. At 4-foot-9, Cruz was the smallest on the field but he didn’t play like it.
Owen Guzman
P/2B/C
Paseo Verde’s ace had a shaky start to the tournament lasting only 1⅓ innings against Ohio, but bounced back emphatically by going 3 for 3 in the U.S. title game against Ohio and throwing 3⅔ innings of two-run ball.
Payton Hinsen
P/RF
Eye surgery did not impact Hinsen’s availability to come up big for his team. He had two hits and one RBI all tournament, but he came through on the mound with 1⅓ innings of relief against Ohio and starting the world title against Curaçao.
Brooks
McFarland
1B/P
The clean-up hitter cooled off later in the tournament, but McFarland made a strong impression on the mound. He threw 5⅔ innings and carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning against Tacoma. He added four RBIs at the plate.
Hudson Cowley
3B/P
Cowley’s summer will be remembered for having the walk-off single against Ohio in Paseo Verde’s first game. Cowley batted .273 with three singles and two RBI in Williamsport.
Logan Edwards
SS/P
Edwards’ summer ended on a sour note in his last two pitching appearances, but made up for it at the plate by going 4 for 10 and three RBI. He didn’t give up an earned run all summer until he faced Iowa.
James Esber
OF/3B
Esber was determined to get on base by any means necessary. In 14 plate appearances he reached base nine times — four by base hit, the other five by a team-high five of Paseo Verde’s 17 walks.
Michael
Guerrero
OF/2B
Guerrero also made his plate appearances count with five RBI in the tournament, second-most on the team. He was also one of the more patient batters in the box, working the pitch count well to his advantage multiple times.
Jace Ward
RF
One of the stars in the regional championship against Montana, Ward went 3 for 10 in the five spot during the Little League World Series with all three hits being singles. He was a threat each time he came to the plate.
Carsynn Meyer
OF
The first girl from the United States to ever play in the Little League World Series championship, Meyer had two hits in the tournament. They both resulted in RBIs, including in the U.S. title game against Ohio.
Maddox Bryan
C/P
The offensive MVP of Paseo Verde’s summer, Bryan led the team in hits (seven), batting average (.636), OPS (1.394) and slugging percentage (.727). His eight RBIs also led Paseo Verde. He drove in the only two runs of the world title game, and drove in the winning run in the U.S. championship game.
