JARED FREED/Associated Press Las Vegas, Nevada's Griffin Vargas crosses home plate against Clarendon Hills, Ill. in the sixth inning on Wednesday.

TJ Fechser could be describing a video game when he talks about his Summerlin South Little League all-stars being ninjas and barbarians.

Actually, he is just describing the offense.

It fits, too, because this offense seemingly has everything. Eleven of 12 batters have smashed home runs, several possess wicked power (the barbarians) and others can fly around the bases (the ninjas).

Put it all together and that powerful blend has helped Las Vegas, Nevada ensure itself a top four U.S finish at the Little League World Series. Las Vegas showcased its potent offense in its first two Series games, scoring 21 runs and collecting 27 hits in wins against Illinois and previously undefeated Washington. That earned it a spot in Monday’s semifinals against South Carolina.

“A lot of these guys are used to being 3-4 hitters and now they might be the 11 or 12 hitters. What’s super cool about our team is 11 of the 12 guys have hit home runs and the other one just missed one,” Fechser said. “We have some really athletic middle infielder/center field type guys and they are the ninjas who get on base and the barbarians bring them home. They have very high baseball IQs and they go out there and compete and take care of business.”

They sure do.

Las Vegas entered Monday’s game undefeated. It speaks to how explosive this team has been that the five runs they scored against Washington were its fewest this season. The Mountain champions averaged 15 runs per game at regionals and put together a phenomenal display in their Series opener, pounding out 18 hits and beating Illinois, 16-1.

“The motivation is we’re playing against the top teams and we can’t let up,” Fechser said. “Anyone can get back in this game, so you have to do your job every at-bat, one at a time and take care of business. You can never let a guy back into the game.”

Las Vegas has done its best to prevent that from happening, often jumping on opponents early and landing knockout blows as they move two and three times through the order. Just look at its first two Series games.

In the sixth innings alone, Las Vegas erupted for 14 runs and 14 hits. That included a frightening 11-run barrage against Illinois as the Mountain champions set a record for runs scored by a Nevada team at the Series. There, nine straight batters reached base after the first out was recorded.

It was more of the same against Washington. For the first time this summer, the Las Vegas offense was being contained by it came alive in the sixth. The first five batters reached base, four via hits and Cache Malan’s two-run home run put Las Vegas up, 5-1.

“I just saw the ball and hit the ball. I knew it was gone but I didn’t want to be too showy about it. He’s a really good pitcher, throwing hard but I just saw it and tried to hit it hard,” Malan said. I was trying to have a good at-bat. It’s great that I hit a home run but I would have been fine with anything (hit-wise)”

Las Vegas’s ability to consistently do more damage as the game progresses speaks to its ability to adjust and learn as well. Each at-bat, each inning presents opportunities. Even if a player does not reach base, he often is working counts and jacking up pitch counts.

These hitters also are absorbing everything that happens those first times at-bat. When talent and sweet swings meet knowledge, powerful results often occur.

“There’s just a natural cadence to every baseball game. How is the pitcher throwing, how are they umpiring?” Fecher said. “That second time through, you’ve seen it, you’re fresh, some of the nerves are out. All those help. All those things compound into good results and this baseball team 1-12.”

Therein lies a big key to this team’s success. Players are not just up there hacking and/or trying to produce individual highlights. It is a disciplined, selfless approach built upon doing whatever it takes to reach base. That includes working counts and swinging at the pitches they want to and not the ones the pitcher hopes they chase.

That helped Nevada fight through rugged district and state fields, scoring nine runs against defending Mountain champion Paseo Verde along the way. And if one player does not come through, Las Vegas understands someone else likely will. That fosters confidence and the team continues passing the bat.

“It’s a super confidence boost knowing we can all perform on this stage,” lead-off hitter Ethan Robertson said. “Our whole team, 1-12, can all hit the ball.”

That’s a fact. Eleven of 12 players collected hits in the first two Series games, all 12 reached base and every player scored at least a run. This comes after Las Vegas hit a whopping .482 at regionals, scoring 39 runs in its first two games.

“One through 12, we have a great lineup,” Malan said. “We have depth in our lineup, so anybody in one inning can hit and hit and hit.”

That includes the bottom of the order. That is where the ninjas do an excellent job setting up the barbarians to do damage. That shined through against Illinois when the Nos. 9-12 hitters went a combined 8 for 10 with seven runs and six RBIs.

Really, the numbers in the batting order are irrelevant. All these players are threats and all can mash. Even the ninjas have some barbarian in them. That goes double when assessing how much each player wants to excel and deliver for his teammates. None shy away from challenges.

It is embracing those which has made each hitter so good.

“This is a very competitive bunch. All of them want to be the guy in the box in a big moment,” Fechser said. “They want to do their job.”

They have done it so well all summer. It’s practice, work, talent and mental acumen all coming together. Put all 12 together and one has a complete offensive package.

“it’s really awesome and amazing to compete in this huge tournament at the Little League World Series,” shortstop Luke D’Ambrosio said. “We are going to just try and keep the line moving.”