South Williamsport, Pa. — Paseo Verde enters the Little League World Series U.S. title game with confidence ahead of a rematch against Hamilton, Ohio.
“It’s exciting, for sure,” third‑baseman Hudson Cowley said. “I think we’re ready for this moment.”
The Nevada squad is appearing in the national championship for the third time ever and the second consecutive year, following Summerlin South’s run to the world‑title game in 2023. Paseo Verde has posted a 13‑0 record dating back to the region championships.
Coaches stressed maximum effort and warned against becoming too high or too low in the moment.
“I think our squad is capable of (winning) against anybody,” manager Cory Edwards said. “I have to have that confidence. If we don’t have that kind of assurance that we can beat anybody, then I don’t think we should be here.”
The upcoming contest is a rematch of the tournament’s opening game for both teams. Only those present at the stadium at 9 a.m. witnessed the original encounter. The game had been scheduled for Aug. 20 but was postponed because of inclement weather. ESPN did not broadcast it, so nobody saw Cowley’s walk‑off single in the bottom of the sixth that secured a 6‑5 victory for Paseo Verde except the fans in the stands.
“I knew (the pitcher) was throwing hard,” Cowley said, recalling his game‑winning hit. “I had to get the barrel out and he missed middle in, and I just barreled it up.”
That contest remains the only game in which Paseo Verde trailed during the tournament. The team needed a three‑run rally to tie the score in the fifth inning and did not take the lead until the final out.
Since then, both sides have cruised forward. Paseo Verde relied on late‑inning rallies to pull away in its last two games, outscoring opponents 19‑6. Hamilton, after its lone loss, has stormed through the loser’s bracket, outscoring opponents 39‑6.
“They’re scoring a lot,” Edwards said. “They’re playing aggressively on the bases, bunting a lot more or showing bunt, but I think they’re just doing a lot of things right.”
Edwards is still deciding which pitcher to start, noting he has used three different starters, each producing distinct results.
Owen Guzman, who dominated the Mountain Region title game in San Bernardino, lasted 1 ⅓ innings against Hamilton on 52 pitches. Brooks McFarland escaped a bases‑loaded jam in the first inning versus Tacoma two days later and carried a no‑hitter into the fifth inning. Maddox Bryan and Payton Hinsen combined for 5 ⅓ innings of four‑hit shutout ball in the 14‑6 win over Iowa on Wednesday.
All four pitchers are eligible to start Saturday. Guzman remains the team’s ace and has been throwing bullpen sessions to stay ready if he receives the call.
“There is confidence in whoever Edwards and the coaching staff go with,” the article notes. “Paseo Verde’s pitching has gotten them to the doorstep of playing for a world title.”
The squad has spent 22 consecutive days away from home since regionals began on Aug. 6.
“I think the thing we’re going to learn from is we’re less tense this time around,” Edwards said. “(The first game against Hamilton) was game 1 on this field. Kids don’t know what to expect. Now they do, and we’ll be ready.”
**Up next**
Who: Paseo Verde vs. West Side (Hamilton, Ohio)
What: U.S. championship, Little League World Series
When: 12:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Lamade Stadium, South Williamsport, Pennsylvania
TV: ABC
Sincity Press Staff
2 hours ago 3 min read
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English (US)·