SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Summerlin South Little League of Las Vegas captured the United States championship at the Little League Baseball World Series Saturday, defeating Fairfield National of Connecticut 8-2 at Howard J. Lamade Stadium, and will now meet Chinese Taipei for the world title on Sunday.
Summerlin South struck early with a three‑run first inning, highlighted by a two‑run single from Grayson Miranda that set the tone. Pitcher Garrett Gallegos delivered a dominant performance, scattering two runs over five innings, striking out eight, and punctuating his day with a solo home run in the fourth inning.
A critical defensive play in the fifth inning broke up a Fairfield rally, as Summerlin’s right fielder gunned down a baserunner attempting to score, triggering a rundown that ended Connecticut’s threat.
Summerlin South padded its lead with a four‑run sixth inning. Contributions from Cache Malan, who drilled a key double, and Cutter Ricafort, who delivered a bases‑loaded single, sealed the U.S. title.
With the victory, Summerlin South became the first Nevada team to win the U.S. championship at the LLWS.
The team now prepares to face International Champion Tung‑Yuan Little League of Chinese Taipei in Sunday's championship game at noon Eastern, to be televised on ABC.
“The enormity of it, there’s nothing we can really do to put it in perspective,” said coach TJ Fechser. “It happened game by game by game, and we really had to battle. We just want to enjoy this experience.”