Silverado Little League will take crack at becoming first Nevada team to reach World Series

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 | 12:13 a.m.

Baseball teams typically don’t hold their celebratory dog piles in the outfield after winning an important game or championship. It’s usually around the pitcher’s mound.

But you won’t hear members of the Silverado Little League Majors Division team complain about celebrating this title in right field Monday night at Silverado Ranch Park.

Silverado erupted for five runs in the first inning of the Nevada state title game against Carson City, then held off a fierce late-inning rally for a 9-6 victory and a spot in the Western Regional in San Bernardino, Calif.

The winner of the regional advances to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. No Nevada team has played in the prestigious tournament, which has grown in popularity the last decade since ESPN began televising games.

Trailing by four runs in the sixth and final inning, Carson City loaded the bases with no outs. But two Silverado players made amazing defensive plays to save the day and ignite the celebration.

Second baseman Jacob Rogers had the first gem, diving to catch a line drive with no outs and quickly tagging second base for a double play. Then, for the final out of the game, right-fielder Cade Adams and Rogers collided while chasing a shallow fly ball, with Adams hanging on for the tournament-clinching out.

Rogers held up his glove to signal the catch by his teammate, then both boys were mobbed by teammates.

“It’s awesome. It’s going to be a blast in San Bernardino," Rogers said. “Not a lot of kids get this chance. It’s special. It’s going to be top notch.”

Regional powers from California and Hawaii are typically too much for Nevada teams to handle, but the Silverado team has shown this month it could be different. The team of 11- to 13-year-olds has made a habit of playing in and winning close games.

In the opener of the double-elimination state tournament, Silverado trailed Carson City 14-12 entering the final inning before Gavin Morley hit a game-ending three-home run. Saturday, against Cheyenne Little League, a two-run home run from Rogers in the final inning proved to be the difference in a 10-8 win.

“Our boys really believe that as long as they have a bat in their hand to swing, we have a chance to win,” Silverado coach Rob Adams said.

Most of the members of the Silverado team have played together the past three summers, with the squad losing in the state title game (of the lower age group tournament) the past two years. They picked the right summer to win the championship, with the prize of playing in San Bernardino truly an once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The children receive the royal treatment for the eight-day tournament, complete with playing in a 13,500-seat stadium and potentially having one of their games shown on ESPN. The tournament starts Aug. 6 for Silverado against a representative from Utah.

“It’s an incredible feeling for them to, No. 1, being able to go to San Bernardino and play in the regional, and No. 2, have the opportunity as a 12-year-old because that only comes around once,” Adams said. “We are going to embrace it and try to do the best we can.”

Silverado scored five runs in the first inning and never looked back, getting a two-run home run from Omar Ortiz to power the quick start. It was also Ortiz’s 13th birthday, with teammates continuing the post-game celebration by playfully putting cake in his face.

In 2008, Paseo Verde Little League of Henderson advanced to the regional title game, but fell short against Hawaii, 4-3. In 2001, Green Valley Little League also lost in the finals. Both games were televised by ESPN, showing millions of viewers the emotion of Little League — the jubilation of winning, the tears and disappointment of losing, and enjoying the game of baseball with friends.

“I’m having a great time out here playing with my friends,” Morley said. “Hopefully we can keep it going and go to Williamsport.”

The coach had long preached to his players that Williamsport was their goal. Advancing to San Bernardino is simply one step in the right direction, but not the ultimate goal. There is still another tournament to win.

“Our goal isn’t to win the state tournament, it’s to go to Williamsport,” Adams said. “Those are steps on the ladder along the way, but ultimately we want to be the first team (in the World Series).”

Each player contributed to the win, and more important, in keeping with one of the philosophies of Little League, each player got to play. League rules dictate each player bat once and play one inning in the field of each game.

“It is an amazing feeling for us to represent Nevada,” Ortiz said.

Other members of the team include: Jayzen Ramirez, Buddie Pindel, Christian Turner, Brock Hershberger, Mikey Ruiz, Drew Wilcox, Kyle Fuentes and Alex Grafiada.