Undefeated Nevada, Texas will play for a spot in the Little League semifinals

“I'm not trying to brag,” Gunnar said, “but I feel like I'm famous.”

When you strike out five batters and don't allow a walk, that's how it's going to feel. Gunnar pitched a complete game as Nevada defeated Hawaii 3-2 on Monday in the Little League World Series.

Nevada, representing the Mountain Region — formed in 2022 as the LLWS expanded to 20 teams — is one of two undefeated and impressive clubs on the United States side of the group. Next up is Texas, a 4-1 winner over Florida on Monday night. The unbeaten teams will meet on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to the semi-finals.

“I was ready to play and they gave me the ball,” Gunnar said after Nevada's win. “I was really excited to see what I could do and I felt like I executed and we had a good result.”

Paseo Verde, which represents Henderson, near Las Vegas, waited three days after its first Little League World Series win against New York, and its players seemed eager to get back on the field.

The game was tied at 2 when Nevada batted in the top of the sixth, the last inning in the Little League game. Two batters walked and advanced to a sacrifice bunt. As soon as Wyatt Erickson was hit by a pitch, the bases were loaded and Noah Letalu was on deck. After a teammate hit, he knew exactly what to do.

“I can't go to the plate trying to hit a grand slam and put the whole team on my back,” Noah said. “I probably would have moved on the ground balls, but I knew I had to score a run for my team, and in that situation, a walk was just as important as a hit.”

Noah drew the sixth walk of the game off the Central East Maui pitcher, sending home the win. Nevada then went on to defeat the Hawaii team representing the West, the region that has won the last two LLWS titles.

Catcher Parker Soranaka initiated a groundout double that ended the game.

“That's something we hang our hat on. We tell our pitchers, 'Let's make our defense work, let's make plays behind them,'” said manager Adam Johnson, whose team allowed nine hits.

On Sunday, the team was at Williamsport Regional Airport in time for the Yankees' arrival ahead of the MLB Little League Classic against the Detroit Tigers. Chisholm, who is currently on the injured list, showed special interest in the Mountain Region team and later sat in the stands with them at Bowman Field.

“(Chisholm) believes in youth baseball and he believes in this group,” Johnson said. “It was an instant connection when these guys were asking questions and to see how he interacted with them, I think it was special.”

Chisholm may be the big brother of the team, but the roster is already a family that shares the dream of playing in the LLWS.

“The coolest part is, as a coach, seeing them embrace the team mentality because, you know, we wouldn't be here if we had selfish players,” Johnson said.

With Texas next, they'll have to bring their best. The Southwest Regional representative from Boerne, a suburb of San Antonio, knocked off Florida behind ace Julian Hurst, who pitched a complete game and struck out 10.

Julian won't be available to play against Nevada because he won't get enough rest under Little League rules, but manager Justin Newson wasn't worried.

“Our goal is to win the game today. We're not going to play for tomorrow,” Newson said. “I feel like a lot of teams during this tournament process took their foot off the gas a little bit and, you know, we don't believe in that.”

Julian allowed just three hits and no walks for the team from Lake Mary, Florida, and threw 72% of his pitches for strikes.

“He really attacks the zone, really attacks the hitters,” Newson said. “We don't try to do much, if anyone, and I think that's showing in the fielding and hitting percentage.”