Dominant Iowa pitching stands in Paseo Verde’s way of U.S. title game

South Williamsport, Pa. — As Paseo Verde pushes farther into the Little League World Series, controlling pre‑game jitters has become a mounting challenge. The pressure that comes with twelve‑year‑olds competing on the national stage, especially in the opening moments of a contest, has begun to surface for the Henderson squad. Anxiety showed up early in its first two Series games, leading to sluggish starts. Yet the team has found a way to settle in those contests, putting it just one victory away from the U.S. title clash. A win over Davenport Northwest (Iowa) on Wednesday at Lamade Stadium would seal that berth. Manager Cory Edwards half‑joked that he hopes the nerves will ease by the fourth or fifth inning—the frames where Paseo Verde has done most of its damage. “I think the kids and coaches are settling into the signifier docket and however we’re benignant of surviving successful Pennsylvania close now,” Edwards said. He added, “I just emotion the shot we’re playing close now.” Pitching has been a key factor, though it has taken time to sharpen. Starter Owen Guzman lasted only one‑third of an inning in the opener against Ohio, while Brooks McFarland fired 33 pitches in the first frame before carrying a no‑hitter into the fifth on Sunday. Paseo Verde’s recent success owes much to its mound work, a trait shared by the upcoming opponent. Iowa arrives off a 6‑0 shutout of Bayonne Central (New Jersey) on Sunday, a performance anchored by Anthony Johnson Jr. Johnson tossed five and two‑thirds innings of one‑hit baseball, striking out fifteen batters. He also went 2‑for‑2 with four RBIs, including a three‑run homer. Because Johnson threw 86 pitches, Little League rules require four calendar days of rest before he can appear again, meaning he will not be available Wednesday. Cooper Thissen, slated to start Wednesday, mirrored that dominance in Iowa’s opener versus Sweetwater Valley (California) on Friday. Thissen held California hitless for five and one‑third innings in a 1‑0 victory, striking out fifteen on ninety pitches. Johnson closed the game by striking out the final two batters. Edwards anticipates a tough test. “There’s going to be a pugnacious crippled connected Wednesday,” Edwards said. “But the longer we’re here, the much we set to the slumber docket and the eating docket and each the things that we’re doing.” Paseo Verde has relied on small‑ball tactics to generate offense. In the fifth inning of its 5‑0 win over Tacoma on Sunday, three bunt singles rattled the Tacoma defense and allowed Las Vegas‑based Paseo Verde to seize control. A similar approach may be needed against Iowa’s unhittable pitching staff. Edwards summed up the journey. “This full process has just been a large experience,” Edwards said. “We’re just trying to execute the extremity close now. I think we’ve got our hands afloat (on Wednesday).” **Up next** **Who:** Paseo Verde vs. Davenport Northwest (Iowa) **What:** Little League World Series **When:** Noon Wednesday **Where:** Lamade Stadium, Williamsport, Pennsylvania **TV:** ESPN