After losing its first game in Williamsport, Hamilton West Side Little League faced a simple reality: Win or go home.Five consecutive victories later, the team is still playing and is now one win away from the Little League Wor ld Series championship game.West Side defeated Davenport, Iowa, 7-1 Thursday morning at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, advancing to the U.S. championship game.WATCH: Here's how people back in Hamilton feel about the team's world series run Hamilton West Side advances to Little League World Series U.S. Championship gameWe feel great relieved, coach Ken Coomer said. We had a late game last night, had to get up early today. So, its not really set in too much yet because of everything that has happened so quick.West Side will face Henderson, Nevada, the Mountain Region champion, at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The winner will advance to Sundays world championship game against an international opponent.Nevada defeated West Side 6-5 in the opening round Aug. 21. Rather than ending the teams hopes, the loss began a five-game run through the elimination bracket.West Side beat Bridgewater, Massachusetts, 10-0; Boerne, Texas, 6-1; Bayonne, New Jersey, 5-2; and Phenix City, Alabama, 11-2 before defeating Iowa.We fought, we lost the first game in the World Series, showed heart, came back, and theres no quit in this team, Coomer said. Each kid steps up, and Im just so proud of them.Coomer said the teams balance has been one of its greatest strengths throughout the tournament.We dont depend on one or two kids, he said. Each game, it seems like different kids step up and do their job.Brion Treadway, the head baseball coach at Badin High School and the father of one of West Sides pitchers, described the team in much the same way.There are no bad attitudes on this team. Theres no superstar, either, Treadway said. Every kid has contributed at some point during this run. And theres true belief that their teammates are going to get the job done if they dont, and so they just have each others back in a way that is special.The trip marks West Sides sixth Little League World Series appearance. The program previously reached Williamsport in 1991, 1993, 2007, 2010 and 2021.A sign outside the teams local ballpark still celebrates five World Series appearances. Following this years run, that number will need to be updated to six.Treadway said the players arrived in Williamsport determined to make the most of the opportunity.These guys didnt want to go two-and-out and go home, and they didnt want to go one-and-two, Treadway said. They wanted to stay here. They genuinely enjoy being together, and they love their coaches. So, I think you put all that together, and its a great recipe for success.The teams success is also bringing people together back home.Restaurants and bars across Hamilton have hosted watch parties throughout the tournament. Some opened early for Thursdays 9 a.m. game.Todd Helton of Shooters Sports Grill said the restaurants bar area holds more than 120 people and routinely fills during West Side games. Some fans have returned to the same tables, wearing the same shirts, hoping to preserve the teams winning streak.As soon as they win one game, we start getting phone calls: Hey, are you guys going to be open? Will you reserve tables? Are you airing it? Helton said. We get the same people that keep coming back game after game. Theyve got their lucky tables. Weve got one guy who wears his lucky shirt.Helton said all of the restaurants more than 40 televisions, including a 10-by-20-foot video screen, will carry Saturdays game.This West Side Little League team, year after year, gives us hope of something big that gets us recognized nationally, Helton said.Coomer said players and coaches have received pictures and videos showing crowds gathered at restaurants and other locations around Greater Cincinnati.Its just great to see how a community comes together, he said.Treadway said that support reaches the team even hundreds of miles from home.The boys feel the support that theyre getting from everywhere, and it means a lot, Treadway said. If you cant be here, then root us on at home because we can hear you and we can feel it. Were just so glad to represent our community.West Side is seeking its first Little League World Series title. The program reached the U.S. championship game in 2021 but lost 5-2 to Taylor North Little League of Michigan.Saturdays game will be televised on WCPO 9. ...read more read less