The Pahrump Valley Little League 10-Year-Old All-Star team gave it their all in the double-elimination tournament this past weekend, showing grit, growth, and sportsmanship across two tough matchups. While the team ultimately exited the tournament after back-to-back losses, the effort, improvement, and enthusiasm displayed by the young athletes were unmistakable and commendable.
In their first game on Saturday, June 28, Pahrump Valley faced off against a strong Peccole team as the visiting side. Despite a tough first inning that saw Peccole jump to a 7-0 lead, the Pahrump team didn’t back down. The squad responded in the top of the second with disciplined plate appearances that showed their determination. Carson Ozman, Nolan Willinsky, and Sebastian Tillery all earned walks to load the bases with no outs. River Magallanes then stepped up with a clutch grounder to bring in a run, followed by a key RBI single from Joseph Shull to trim the deficit to 7-2.
Though Peccole’s offense continued to capitalize on miscues, Pahrump showed resilience on the mound with pitching efforts from Jack Geronsin, Carter Lovejoy, and later Isaiah Banuelos stepping in to stem the momentum. Alexander Daun and Geronsin added base hits in the third, showing that the team was able to get runners on and pressure the defense.
The game concluded in the fourth inning via the mercy rule with a final score of 16-2, but the box score doesn’t reflect the effort and hustle Pahrump displayed throughout the game—particularly their patience at the plate, base-running awareness, and refusal to quit against an experienced opponent.
The team returned to the diamond on Monday, June 30, to take on Summerlin North All Stars as the home team. Pitching duties started with Nolan Willinsky, who worked hard through a tough first inning where Summerlin jumped to a 6-0 lead. Joey Shull came in to close the frame with three consecutive strikeouts—an impressive show of control and composure under pressure.
Offensively, Pahrump continued to show discipline at the plate. Carson Ozman drew a walk in the second, followed by another from Carter Lovejoy, as the team fought for baserunners against strong Summerlin pitching. In the third inning, River Magallanes found a gap in short right for a base hit, and Isaiah Banuelos reached safely with a fly behind third base in the fourth, putting pressure on Summerlin’s defense once again.
Though the game ended in the fourth inning with a 12-0 loss, the team never lost their energy or heart. Each player brought their best effort, showed respect to their opponents, and took the field with pride representing Pahrump Valley Little League.
These All-Star games are about more than wins and losses—they’re about growth, learning, and teamwork. For these young athletes, the experience of playing at a high level, adapting under pressure, and supporting one another is invaluable. The coaching staff and families can be proud of how these 10s carried themselves throughout the tournament.
The future looks bright for Pahrump Valley Little League. With continued development and the same spirit they showed this weekend, this team is sure to make waves in seasons to come.
*All photos are available for sale at pvcnphotos.com
