The Kaiserslautern Military Community’s all-stars are headed to the Little League World Series thanks to Tuesday’s 4-0 victory over Italy in the championship game of Little League Baseball’s European Regional tournament in Kutno, Poland.
It will be Kaiserslautern’s second straight appearance in the World Series, which will be held Aug. 20-29 in South Williamsport, Pa.
Last year, KMC was eliminated after losing its first two games to Chinese Taipei and Mexico.
“Amazing! … it is unbelievable I’m going back to Williamsport,” winning pitcher Mackenzie Mueller said.
KMC took advantage of some crucial mistakes by the Italians early in the game, scoring three unearned runs in the first inning punctuated by Stan Hurley’s steal of home while the Italian pitcher’s back was turned.
“We wanted some and got some,” Hurley said.
KMC pitcher Robert Steed picked up his second save of the tournament by finishing off the last two Italian batters.
“I felt like I was going to pass out,” Steed said.
KMC coach Jason Shock will be making his first trip to the biggest show in Little League baseball.
“(It’s) the third best thing to happen in my life behind my daughter and wife,” he said. “The guys came to the battlefield and fought with heart and walked away victorious.”
KMC’s only blemish during the tournament was a loss to Ukraine, but KMC manager Gary Harrington thinks it provided a spark for his kids.
“Ever since losing to Ukraine, we had fire burning, and it kept on to the last out,” said Harrington.
The Little League World Series will be televised on ESPN or ABC. Last year, American Forces Network televised Kaiserslautern’s games.
