Paseo Verde Little League is one win from the Little League World Series championship game.
The Henderson team stayed unbeaten in Williamsport on Wednesday, scoring nine runs in the sixth inning to beat Davenport Northwest Little League of Iowa 14-6 at Lamade Stadium.
The victory moved Paseo Verde into Saturday’s United States Championship Game, where a win would send Henderson to Sunday’s world championship.
Paseo Verde improved to 3-0 in Williamsport and has outscored its opponents 25-11 through three games.
Davenport starter dominates early
Paseo Verde had little success against Davenport starter Cooper Thissen through the first three innings.
The left-hander struck out 10 and did not allow a hit over 3 2/3 innings. Henderson struck out eight times during the first three innings alone.
That changed with two outs in the fourth.
James Esber singled before Hudson Cowley was hit by a pitch. Brooks McFarland then doubled to left, scoring both runners for a 2-0 lead.
Jace Ward followed with an RBI single to score McFarland. Ward eventually came home on a wild pitch, giving Paseo Verde a 4-0 advantage.
Bryan, Hinsen shut down Davenport
Maddox Bryan gave Henderson 2 1/3 scoreless innings to start the game.
Bryan allowed two hits and one walk while striking out three. Payton Hinsen followed and continued keeping Davenport off the scoreboard.
Hinsen worked three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one walk with three strikeouts. He earned the win.
The two combined to hold Davenport scoreless through five innings while Paseo Verde built its lead.
Guerrero starts big finish
Paseo Verde added another run in the fifth after Bryan walked and Hinsen entered as a courtesy runner.
Michael Guerrero singled to center to score Hinsen, pushing the lead to 5-0.
Then Henderson broke the game open in the sixth.
Owen Guzman doubled and Esber walked before Cowley singled home Guzman. Esber later scored on a wild pitch before Ward and Logan Edwards were each hit by pitches with the bases loaded, bringing home two more runs.
Michael Kleiner followed with an RBI single before Bryan drove in Ward with another hit. Adrian Cruz added a run on a fielder’s choice.
Guerrero delivered the biggest swing of the inning, clearing the bases with a three-run double to left for a 14-0 lead.
Paseo Verde sent 13 batters to the plate and scored nine runs in the inning.
Davenport rallies too late
Davenport finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth.
Kannon Kane doubled home LySanias Broyles III and Cooper Thissen before Anthony Johnson Jr. scored on a wild pitch. Caleb Erwin then singled home Kane.
Logan Chantos reached on an error that allowed Erwin to score before Xavier Ludtke doubled home Chantos for Davenport’s sixth run.
The rally came too late as Paseo Verde finished off the 14-6 victory.
Guerrero went 2-for-3 with a double and four RBIs. McFarland added a double and two RBIs, while nine different Henderson players recorded a hit.
Henderson builds unbeaten run
Paseo Verde has now won three different types of games in Williamsport.
Henderson rallied from three runs down to beat West Side Little League 6-5 in its opener, followed with a 5-0 shutout of Soundview and then erupted for 14 runs against Davenport.
The offense has collected 27 hits while outscoring opponents 25-11 through three games.
Guzman is 4-for-10 through the tournament, while Esber is 3-for-5 with three walks and four runs. Bryan is 3-for-6 with three RBIs and added 2 1/3 scoreless innings on the mound Wednesday.
McFarland has also contributed on both sides, with two RBIs against Davenport after throwing five scoreless innings in Sunday’s shutout.
Up next
Paseo Verde will play in the United States Championship Game at 12:30 p.m. PDT Saturday at Lamade Stadium.
The Henderson team will face the winner of the elimination game that determines the other U.S. finalist.
A win Saturday would send Paseo Verde to the Little League Baseball World Series Championship Game on Sunday.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Las Vegas Aces, Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
