From Rainbow Family Park to Williamsport: Summerlin South’s All-Stars make Nevada proudBy Erica Neely

Nevada News and Views

It started on a hot summer afternoon, June 28, at Rainbow Family Park.

Twelve boys from Summerlin South laced up their cleats, grabbed their gloves, and took the field against Mountain Ridge in the District 4 Tournament. They won 8-2.

That was the first of many wins — and the start of a story that’s quickly becoming the stuff of Nevada sports legend.

On Friday, in San Bernardino, California, these same boys punched their ticket to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, with a 6-3 victory over Utah in the Mountain Region championship game.

From 2.5 million Little League players worldwide, only 240 make it this far. And now 12 of them wear Nevada on their jerseys.

Next Stop: The Big Stage

The Summerlin South All-Stars take the field Wednesday at noon against Clarendon Hills, Illinois, the Great Lakes Region champs.

It’s the first step toward a dream every Little Leaguer has — standing on the field for the national anthem before the championship game on Aug. 24.

Head coach TJ Fechser isn’t overthinking it.

“We’re still looking at how we’re going to attack this thing,” he said. “We haven’t even decided on a pitcher yet.”

These boys have been through the grinder already, traveling to Reno for the state tournament and then straight to San Bernardino for regionals. They’re battle-tested.

The record speaks for itself: 10-0 in the postseason, outscoring opponents 45-15 in regional play.

Nevada’s Little League History — and Some Unfinished Business

Summerlin South is only the fourth Nevada team ever to make the LLWS. None have won it all.

Paseo Verde looked like they might last year, starting hot before being stopped by Texas and Florida.

And in 2014, Mountain Ridge reached the U.S. championship game but was eliminated by Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West — a team later stripped of its title for using ineligible players.

Nevada never got the fair shot it deserved. Maybe this year is different.

Why They’re Dangerous

This team doesn’t just win. They fight.

Last week, they were down 8-0 to Utah in their first matchup. Most teams would’ve folded. Summerlin South came back to win 22-12.

Pitcher Garrett Gallegos has the kind of arm that can shut down a lineup.

Cache Malan can change a game with one swing.

Leadoff hitter Ethan Robertson has already had multiple three-hit games.

And catcher Dustin Greusel, one of the hardest-working players on the roster, is always ready to make a game-saving play.

And here’s the thing — in Little League, it’s often the bottom of the order or an unexpected bullpen hero who delivers the knockout punch.

Playing for More Than Themselves

When they take the field in Pennsylvania, they’re not just playing for a trophy. They’re representing Summerlin, Las Vegas, and all of Nevada.

No matter what happens, these boys will scrap for every run, every out, and every inning. And win or lose, they’ll come home knowing they gave it everything.

The 79th Little League World Series is about to begin. And for 12 kids from Summerlin South, it’s not just a game — it’s a chance to make history.

*

Erica Neely is a grassroots advocate, small business owner, director, community leader, and founder of the Hispanic Latin Alliance. Deeply rooted in family values, she is passionate about empowering her community and driving meaningful change.