LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — An incredible run has come to an end.
The Little League World Series is officially over and a powerhouse team is ready to return to the Las Vegas Valley.
“Honestly, what they are is exhausted. They’re mentally and physically exhausted,” Evan Greusel said.
Greusel’s son, Dustin, is one of the 12 players making up Summerlin South Little League. The squad has been on the road for more than a month, rounding bases in Reno, San Bernardino and ultimately Williamsport, Pennsylvania on Little League baseball’s biggest stage.
“These guys were warriors. These guys are heroes. I don’t know many kids that could go through this,” Greusel said.
On Saturday, Summerlin South beat Connecticut’s team to earn the U.S. Little League World Series championship, the first time Nevada has taken the title in league history. Parents like Sheena Gallegos, Garrett’s mother, swelled with pride while talking to FOX5 about the success.
“Number one in the U.S is amazing. Number two in the world, it’s just incredible,” Sheena Gallegos said.
“These are really special kids. Friendships have been made that will be forever. We’ll never forget this.”
Garrett’s dad, Ed, echoed that sentiment, confident this is the best team he’s ever been a part of.
“I’m not just saying talent, I’m saying great kids,” he said. “There wasn’t one scenario ever where this kid was unhappy or he’s complaining about playing time or where he’s hitting. They were together from day one.”
The team’s chemistry has been impressive to take in. Especially given the fact, according to Greusel, that the team only had one practice with everyone present leading into the Little League World Series run.
“Between kids going in-and-out for other tournaments, family engagements, the last practice before districts was the very first practice all 12 kids were there,” Greusel said.
Unfortunately, that chemistry couldn’t carry Summerlin South to the world title, losing to Chinese-Taipei Sunday afternoon. It doesn’t take away from all this team has accomplished though, building such a strong bond through success and love of baseball.
That’s true for both the players and the parents.
“A lot of us didn’t know each other that well. Now we’re going to miss seeing each other. We’ve been together now for two months and we’re going to miss hanging out and eating dinner together,” Ed Gallegos said.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience and achievement for Summerlin South would not have been possible without a lot of community support.
Greusel and the rest of the families are ready to get back home to properly thank everyone who helped make this all possible.
“We’re so grateful for the people that stepped up and sponsored these families. I’m probably $20,000 in for this summer between lost wages at work and paying for all this,” Greusel said. “We’re really grateful for the town. It just proves how great Vegas is.”
There will be a parade held to celebrate Summerlin South on Wednesday, August 27 at 6 p.m. in Downtown Summerlin.
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