WHITESTOWN, Ind.— Finn Dykes knew almost immediately.
The bases were loaded. Hamilton West Side Little League was threatening to break open the Great Lakes Region championship game. A pitch arrived exactly where Dykes wanted it, and the 12-year-old didn’t hesitate.
He swung.
Then he ran.
“I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I’m going to go all at that pitch,’” Dykes said. “I ripped it, and I knew right when it got down it was for sure a triple. And my coach was like, ‘Go three!’”
Dykes went.
By the time he reached third base, three runs had scored, West Side had a six-run lead and the Hamilton program was well on its way to Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
West Side defeated North Oldham, Kentucky, 6-0 on Wednesday night in the Great Lakes Region championship game at the Little League Central Region Complex, clinching the program’s sixth trip to the Little League World Series.
The three-run triple represented something more than the biggest hit of the night for Dykes.
It was a moment built through practices, games and countless hours spent around a sport that occupies much of his life.
“Honestly, I don’t know,” Dykes said of standing on third base. “It was the greatest I ever felt in a while.”
“Finn, he’s another one of them that you asked about improvement,” West Side manager Nichting added. “What a big moment. Bases loaded, triple — boom, put us at six. I had a little breathing room.”
That breathing room was more than enough.
West Side scored all six of its runs in the first inning, with Dykes delivering the biggest blow. Boone Treadway and the West Side defense took care of the rest, shutting down Kentucky and allowing a team from Hamilton to celebrate another regional championship.
West Side previously reached the Little League World Series in 1991, 1993, 2007, 2010 and 2021. This year’s team entered regional play after capturing the program’s 23rd Ohio state championship and then worked its way through the Great Lakes bracket outscoring opponents 38-8.
Dykes helped provide the swing that all but finished the job.
It was fitting for a kid whose interest in baseball rarely ends when practice does.
His mother, Sarah Dykes, said Finn is almost always connected to the game in some way. He collects baseball cards, watches games and highlight reels and plays wiffle ball in the backyard. He’ll even hit fly balls for the family’s dog, Lucy.
When baseball isn’t involved, Dykes enjoys basketball, roller coasters and spending time with his friends.
One of those friends is longtime teammate Walker Osborne, who is also on the West Side squad. The two have been classmates since fourth grade and spend so much time together during the summer that Sarah jokes Osborne has essentially become another member of the family.
Underneath Finn’s enthusiasm for sports is a competitive streak and work ethic his family has seen off the baseball diamond.
“He’s definitely a kid that always gives 100% effort,” Sarah said. “Whether it’s at school or baseball, he strives to do his best. He always puts forth his best effort.”
She describes her son as helpful, loyal and hardworking — someone who becomes deeply invested in the people and things important to him.
Baseball is unquestionably one of them.
That made Wednesday’s celebration particularly meaningful.
Dykes has grown along the way, and Nichting has seen it. When West Side needed one more big hit Wednesday, Dykes delivered it.
Soon after, Dykes and his entire team was celebrating a trip to Williamsport.
West Side will open Little League World Series play Thursday, Aug. 20, at 2 p.m. against the Mountain Region champion.
There is more baseball ahead for Dykes and his teammates — more practices, more games and an opportunity to represent Hamilton on an international stage.
“I’m feeling great right now,” Dykes said. “I’m glad that we got it. It’s been all hard work — all these practices and stuff — and I’m really excited to move on.”
