Henderson's Paseo Verde Takes Nevada to Little League World Series Final

The matchup followed a remarkable tournament run for the Mountain Region representative, which defeated West Side Little League of Hamilton, Ohio, 12-2 on Saturday to win the U.S. championship and secure its place in the World Series final.

The Henderson team entered the championship game unbeaten in the tournament.

Little League's official tournament information lists Paseo Verde as the Mountain Region representative from Henderson, Nevada. The team had gone 4-0 through the portion of the tournament leading into the final.

The championship represented another major moment for Southern Nevada baseball.

Paseo Verde's appearance marked the second consecutive year that a Nevada team reached the Little League World Series final. It also gave Henderson an opportunity to become the first Nevada team to win the tournament's world championship.

The path to the final had been particularly impressive.

Paseo Verde advanced through the Mountain Region tournament without a loss before reaching Williamsport. Once at the World Series, the Henderson players continued winning against teams representing different parts of the United States.

The semifinal victory over Hamilton was especially decisive.

Paseo Verde built a large lead before the game ended under the tournament's mercy rule, sending the Nevada team into the championship matchup. The Henderson club also turned three double plays during the game, tying a Little League World Series record.

The team's success generated a major response in Henderson.

Residents gathered at a local theater Saturday to watch the U.S. championship, while families, league officials and community supporters celebrated the team's advancement.

The support reflected the community nature of Little League baseball.

Players typically begin in local leagues before progressing through district, state and regional tournaments. Paseo Verde's run therefore represents not only a national sporting achievement but also the culmination of months of local competition.

The championship opponent, Curaçao, reached the final after defeating Japan 4-0 in the international championship. Pitcher Jaymiëll Martina recorded 12 strikeouts in the victory and helped Curaçao secure its place in the title game.

That set up a matchup between two unbeaten teams representing different baseball traditions.

Curaçao has a long history of success in the Little League World Series, while Nevada was attempting to secure its first championship.

The tournament itself includes 20 teams, with 10 representing U.S. regions and 10 representing international regions. The competition is held at the Little League International Complex in South Williamsport.

The Henderson team also carried an important local storyline involving players Carsynn Meyer and Kinley Rasmus.

Little League International noted that Meyer and Rasmus became the 25th and 26th "Girls with Game" players to compete in the event, adding another notable chapter to the team's tournament appearance.

The final therefore represented more than a championship opportunity for one youth baseball team.

It provided Henderson with national visibility, brought the Southern Nevada community together and continued the region's recent presence at the tournament.

The team's coach, Bill Senne, was also preparing to conclude a 25-season coaching career with the organization after the championship game.

Regardless of the final result, Paseo Verde's run had already established one of the most significant youth-sports stories in Nevada.

The team entered the final representing Henderson and the Mountain Region, while the community watched to see whether the players could complete an unbeaten tournament run with the state's first Little League World Series championship.

For Nevada baseball, the championship appearance marked another milestone for a sport that has gained national attention through the success of Southern Nevada teams.

Paseo Verde's journey from Henderson to Williamsport had become a statewide story, with the championship game providing its biggest stage.