For the first time in Mill Creek Little League’s history, a softball team has earned its way to the Little League Softball World Series — and the community couldn’t be more proud! The Mill Creek Little League (MCLL) 12U softball team’s journey began in June with a victory at the Washington District One Tournament. From there, they went on to win the Washington State Tournament, securing a spot at the Northwest Region Tournament in San Bernardino, California. Representing all of Washington, they faced teams from Alaska, Oregon, and Idaho — finishing the tournament undefeated with a 4-0 record.

The Northwest title was clinched in dramatic fashion, with an intense nine-inning battle against Oregon. Tied late in the game, Liliana Delgado delivered a walk-off hit to bring in Molly Joe Sewell for the winning run, sealing a 10-9 victory and punching their ticket to Greenville, North Carolina, for the World Series.

“There are eight regions in the U.S., and for our girls to represent the Northwest was a huge honor,” says Manager Courtney Brown. “I can honestly say I’ve never coached a team — boys or girls — with the type of grit and determination this team showed on the field.” The World Series brought new experiences, from games on national television to meeting teams from across the country and around the globe. In their second game, Washington defeated California 10-0, with pitcher Penelope Gahan carrying a perfect game into the fifth inning and eight players recording at least one hit. For player Reese Caskey, the highlight was “meeting the players from other teams and getting our first win against California.” Teammate Mila Bailey admitted that the cameras were intimidating at first. “The first game it felt stressful knowing I was on TV,” she says. “But once we settled in, it just felt like playing normal games. At the World Series, it was exciting knowing people all over the world were watching.”

More than the wins, the girls will remember the friendships. “We got close with teams from Central, New England, Canada, and North Carolina,” Mila says. “It’s really cool to say I met one of my best friends at the World Series.” She also shared one of the most valuable lessons she learned: “Not to take anything for granted and to live in the moment… and not to be a sore winner. When Southeast knocked us out, they came over, hugged us, and told us we played great.” Parents and coaches echoed the pride felt across Mill Creek. “This was one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences I’ve ever been a part of,” says Coach Joe Sewell. “I’m thankful to have this memory with my daughter, her teammates, and my fellow coaches.”

From dramatic wins to lifelong friendships, this season will be remembered not just as a series of games, but as a celebration of teamwork, resilience, and community spirit. Mill Creek will forever be proud of its 2025 Northwest Region Champions.