The Kaiserslautern Military Community All-Stars began their quest for a trip to the Little League World Series with an 8-1 victory Tuesday over the Czech Republic in the opening game of Little League Baseball’s European Regional tournament in Kutno, Poland.

Starting pitcher Cameron Byrd struck out 11 in his four innings of work, then gave way to Matt Zembraski, who fanned four in 1  1/3 innings. Cody Prince closed out the victory by retiring the final two batters.

Trailing 1-0 after two innings, KMC took the lead for good with a two-out, four-run rally in the third.

Singles by Prince and Byrd and a 12-pitch walk by Jacob Van Parys set the table. Prince scored on a passed ball, Tyler Daubert followed with a two-run single, and Kenny Martin singled home the fourth run.

KMC mounted another four-run rally in the fifth on an error, singles by Van Parys and Martin, a two-run double by Mike Bega and an RBI triple by Dan Tolarchyk.

KMC is to face England at 1 p.m. Wednesday in this weeklong, 11-team event for 11-12-year-olds. At stake is Europe’s berth in the Little League World Series later this month in Williamsport, Pa.

Pool-play continues through Saturday, with the top four teams in each pool advancing to Sunday’s quarterfinals. Semifinals are set for Monday, with the championship game scheduled for Tuesday.

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