WILLIAMSPORT, PA (Dakota News Now) – The Sioux Falls Little League team is in Williamsport ahead of its Little League World Series opener on Wednesday.

Although this is a new experience for them, they have certainly heard from many former players how to deal with it.

Finally, this year’s team is the third group in the history of the Sioux Falls program to head to Williamsport. Marcus Phillips, fresh off a national championship as a pitcher for Tennessee in the College World Series, was one of the first players to lead the team to the program’s first World Series appearance in 2017.

Although that team remained winless, Gavin Weir and the 2021 team won three games and advanced to the semifinals of the World Series. Weir’s performance as a pitcher received national praise from celebrities and stars from around the world.

This means that the two teams already have a considerable wealth of experience that has been shared with this year’s group, and a common theme is already emerging.

“We do everything we can to live the moment and enjoy everything. We enjoy meeting other kids and participating in the activities they have planned for us. We’re here to win baseball games, of course, but we’re here to create lifelong memories,” says head coach Nick Kortan.

“They said it’s just a lot of fun. Enjoy everything and take the opportunity to come here,” says Devin Cargin.

Sioux Falls opens the Little League World Series on Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. CST against Lake Mary (FL) at Lamade Stadium in Williamsport.

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