RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Maddux Munson throws for South Dakota during their game against Oregon on Monday at the Little League World Series. All 14 of South Dakota’s players, including Munson, have made an impact on the team.

Some questioned Sioux Falls, South Dakota manager Mike Gorsett when he chose 14 all-stars earlier this summer.

Wednesday night, Sioux Falls played Torrance, California in the Tom Seaver winner’s bracket final at the Little League World Series. Sioux Falls opened the Series 2-0, allowing no runs in those victories. Sioux Falls is the first Midwest team to reach a winner’s bracket final since the region was born in 2001.

That is why Gorsett wanted 14 players on this team. Take one of those 14 away and Sioux Falls likely would not be one of the country’s top Little League baseball teams.

“When we first started out everyone questioned, ‘Do you really want to go 14?’ We couldn’t get to the point where thought, ‘This guy doesn’t have a part on the team,” Gorsett said. “Luckily, for me as a manager, they have backed up that decision for me.”

Whether starting or coming off all the bench, all 14 players have made quite an impact this summer. Reserve Alex McKinney produced three of the biggest hits at the Midwest Regional. Kye Carlson came off the bench Monday and ignited a three-run, fifth-inning rally when he worked a leadoff walk as Sioux Falls blanked Oregon, 3-0. That same inning, reserve Opland Sonnichsen ripped a single.

It was a microcosm of Sioux Falls’ entire run. Whatever his role, each player has embraced it. This team is 14 strong and that has given it Superman strength.

“They are a great bunch of kids,” said Ronnie Weir, whose son Gavin threw 5 2/3 no-hit innings in the Series opener against Louisiana. “It’s super cool to know they all are there supporting each other and that they know each other’s strengths.”

“I took a little heat about carrying 14 guys. I just have so much belief in 1-14,” Gorsett said. “Whatever you want to call our 14th guy he’s just as good as any of our starters. They’ve proven it time and time again.”

That certainly shows defensively as well. Sioux Falls played spectacular defense against Oregon. Maddux Munson threw a brilliant one-hitter and pitched to contact, knowing his defense would take of everything hit. That unit not only made all the plays, but also took away potential hits.

Sioux Falls turned a double play, made super plays in the hole, took away Oregon’s bunting game and could do no wrong. Again, his players proved how right Gorsett was.

“That was a thing really addressed in in the post-game speech to the kids. The world finally got to see how good our defense is,” Gorsett said. “We were absolutely lights out tonight. We were spectacular.”

Sioux Falls has been that way all summer. Weir and Munson dominated on the mound the first two Series games, but Sioux Falls also has received strong contributions from several others. The offense did not set the world on fire in the first two Series wins, but the timely hits have been spread out.

Weir hit a three-run home run against Oregon and Brekken Biteler helped produce both runs against Louisiana with two hits and two runs. Noah Kuenzi delivered a key RBI single in the first win. Take a look at all of Sioux Falls wins this summer and one will find a different player delivering something important.

Of course, it also helps having a strong coaching staff. Sioux Falls has made a remarkable impact in a short time, reaching the Series two times in its first four years. The players are outstanding, and the right people are teaching them the game.

“To see a group of different kids from different backgrounds and different teams during the regular season come together is special,” Ronnie Weir said. “They have only played together 4-5 weeks and to see them mature is wonderful. It’s a bunch of great players on this team and when you have that it helps you put a winning strategy in place and the coaches are wonderful working with these boys. The coaches are willing into put in that time and be dads to these kids and we’re lucky to have the men we do coaching these kids.”

As a result, Sioux Falls has turned its Series performance into not just a statement about how good and deep it is, but also into something historical.

Sioux Falls has become the best Midwest team at the Series since the region was established. And it became the first South Dakota team to win a non-consolation game in its Series opener against the Southwest champions. More history was made against Oregon as Sioux Falls became the first Midwest team win consecutive Series games.

Some wondered why Gorsett included 14 players on his all-roster. Some underestimated Sioux Falls because of the Midwest’s past at the Series instead of focusing on this team’s strengths.

Sioux Falls is not finished at the Series but however this run ends, the best Little League team in South Dakota history has answered every question.

And, oh, how resounding those answers have been.

“One of things I said at the end (after beating Oregon) was, ‘We might as well go win the whole thing now.’ That’s the mentality we’re going to take moving forward,” Gorsett said. “We’re a really good team. I believe in my kids.

“I love the way we play.”