Iowa Little Leaguers bound for Pa

The Urbandale Little League All-Stars appeared to have a spot in the Little League World Series all but locked up after jumping out to an early 6-0 lead in the Midwest Region finals.That changed with one swing of the bat from Eric Kuse, who smacked a grand slam that helped Columbia, Mo., tie the game at 6-all. Like they have all summer though, the kids from Urbandale stayed focused and rallied for yet another big win.Urbandale bounced back for 7-6 victory on Saturday in Indianapolis and is now headed to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., for the first time in the city's history.Urbandale is now 19-1, finishing 5-1 in the regional tournament. It will open Little League World Series play against Warner Robins, Ga., on Friday."They're really a mentally tough and resilient group," Urbandale coach Scott Grau said of his team, which is made up mostly of 12-year-olds. "Giving up a grand slam after being up 6-0, I think teams could have hung their heads and folded a little bit. These guys don't do that."Urbandale is powered by pitchers Brody Egger and Trae Cropp and a deep lineup that's on a roll.Egger got the complete-game victory on Saturday, scattering nine hits and keeping Missouri off the board after it had tied the game in the fourth inning.Urbandale's offense is led by third baseman/catcher Cole Scieszinski and outfielder Zach Rague. But Grau said the key to their run so far has been that it's entire lineup has been hitting well.Against Missouri, Cropp and Scieszinski hit homers, Michael Staub knocked in a pair of runs and Jaran Sabus broke the 6-6 tie with a single to score Jake Quirk in the bottom of the fourth inning.Urbandale outscored its opponents 48-14 in the Midwest Region tournament."Top to bottom, all of the kids are contributing. We're probably getting hitting from out 7, 8 and 9 guys that match what our 1,2 and 3 guys are doing, which is key. There's never a down spot in the order."Urbandale's players got their first taste of stardom on Sunday, as a crowd of over 200 supporters greeted them for a reception at a local field. The team didn't have much time to bask in their success, however, hopping on a 10 a.m. flight on Monday bound for Williamsport.Urbandale is the first Iowa team to reach the Little League World Series since Davenport Northwest in 2005."I am pretty nervous, but I know we're going to have fun there. To know we're one of the top (16) teams in the whole world, that's pretty good to me," Quirk said.

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