Mountain Ridge Seniors one win closer to Little League World Series after Nevada title

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A Las Vegas Little League team is one step closer to making it to the Little League World Series.

The Mountain Ridge Seniors are coming off a Nevada state championship they clinched over the weekend, and next week the team heads to Oakland for regional play — with a shot at punching a ticket to Williamsport.

For coach Jon Akin, it’s the deepest run his team has made in 12 years of coaching, including two seasons with All-Stars. And they earned it the hard way.

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After dropping their first game of the state tournament, the Mountain Ridge Seniors battled back — then rallied in the championship to seal the title.

“We were down 7-1 at one point in the state championship,” Akin said. “We managed to score a few runs over the next couple of innings. We had one inning where we scored 11 runs and managed to come back 18-8.”

Now, it’s back to work — with regionals just days away.

Akin credits the team’s success to the grind: practice six days a week, plus time in the gym.

“They just grind,” he said.

One of the players helping set that tone is Maya Davis, who’s been playing baseball since she was three — and is the only girl on the roster. Akin says Davis has delivered both at the plate and in the field.

“I think she was batting .500,” he said.

Davis says her love of baseball started with her dad, and she’s drawn to how much of the game is mental. She also says being the only girl on the field isn’t something she dwells on.

“It’s pretty normal for me because I’ve done it my whole life,” Davis said. “So, it’s something I’m used to.”

She hopes more kids feel empowered to go after the teams they want — no matter who they are.

“Like, everyone deserves fair, equal rights and to play a sport that’s just a game,” Davis said. “I think anyone can do it and as long as they want to do it.”

As the team prepares for Oakland, Akin says Davis’ impact goes beyond the box score.

“As a player, I mean, she’s a positive influence for all the other players,” he said. “She keeps them motivated. She’s willing to go wherever she’s needed.”

The Mountain Ridge Seniors leave for Oakland on Monday, and the team says they’re grateful for the support they’ve received from the Las Vegas community so far.

Davis is already looking ahead to what comes next, too — with goals to keep playing after this league.

The team is currently raising funds to help with travel expenses.