West Suburban softball program eyes another World Series crown

Little League 14U softball

One year after West Suburban captured a Little League Softball World Series championship, another team from the same program is preparing to take its shot on the international stage.

West Suburban's 14U all-stars will compete in the Junior League Softball World Series at Everest Park in Kirkland, Wash., Sunday against Canada.

Opening pitch is 4 p.m. on ESPN+.

While this year's roster is almost entirely different, the confidence surrounding the team has been fueled by last summer's championship run.

For Central Cambria student Kylie Ferguson, watching West Suburban's 12U team win it all in 2025 made reaching the World Series a personal goal.

"I watched (West Suburban pitcher Reagan Bills) through every single game last year, and my biggest dream was to make it to the World Series," Ferguson said. "I've been watching it for the last four years now, and I always imagined myself being there."

Now Ferguson will share the field with Bills and Adalyn Hines, who are back with the 14U squad after helping West Suburban win the 12U World Series a year ago.

Although Bills has already experienced the spotlight, she said the excitement hasn't faded.

"It feels really incredible to get all the support from the community, and it's really exciting to be able to take them on this journey again," Bills, a Cambria Heights student, said.

Last year's championship not only fueled this team's belief that another title run is possible, but it also proved a team from Cambria County can compete with -- and beat -- the best in the world.

"Ever since last year, I've really wanted to make it," Central Cambria student and West Suburban infielder Abigail Claar said. "Being able to watch Reagan and Addie make it was so cool, and it's been a big dream of mine to play there."

Having lived through the national attention once already, Bills has been trying to downplay the moment as much as she can. Her advice to her teammate has been simple -- look away from the cameras and focus on the task at hand.

"Don't think that this is anything too big," Bills said. "It's just another softball game."

The Junior League Softball World Series features the top teams for players ages 12-14 from around the world as teams from the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia will compete for the championship in Kirkland.

Unlike last year's title team, which relied heavily on Bills in the pitching circle, this year's West Suburban club boasts six pitchers who have contributed at various points in the season.

That depth was evident during the East Region Tournament where West Suburban went undefeated, outscoring opponents 63-4 and allowing just eight hits over four games while earning its World Series berth.

Bills said the confidence she has in her fellow pitchers and the defense around her makes it easier for everyone to succeed. West Suburban committed just four errors over 21 innings during the regional tournament.

"I've bonded so quickly with these girls, and I think our friendship is reflected in the scores," Bills said. "Even if someone pops out or strikes out, we always pick the next girl up. I just think this group of girls is really incredible."

West Suburban's offense has been fueled by production from top to bottom. The team collected 66 hits and scored 63 runs during the regional tournament, with 49 of those runs earned rather than the result of defensive miscues.

All 12 players in the lineup recorded at least one hit in a 22-0 victory over Maine, and five of them turned in multi-hit performances.

That depth has created a strong sense of trust throughout the roster, with every player knowing someone is ready to deliver when called upon.

"If you mess up, you know that the person behind you can step up, because they're just as good -- if not better -- than you," Portage product Camdyn Westover said.

Manager Rick Roberts believes the team's willingness to put the group ahead of individual success has been the biggest reason for its dominant play.

"We've preached the idea of 'We before me,' and these girls have really bought into being team players," Roberts said. "They've realized that they probably won't all have the best day every day, but somebody will be there to pick them up."

West Suburban has every reason to believe it can compete for another World Series title after its performance at the regional tournament.

Still, the players know that success in Kirkland will depend on approaching each game with the same focus that got them there.

"We can't look too far forward," Hines said. "We looked past our very first team (during the 2025 state tournament), and we lost. We can't look down on anyone. Yes we're a great team, but some of these other teams could beat us if we don't stay in the moment."