The Butler County Cubs needed three extra innings to win a championship, but at least they didn't have to play a second game.
The Cubs pulled out a 3-2 win in 10 innings over the Wichita Sluggers, capturing the recent NBC Hap Dumont 17-Under World Series title at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.
Wade Grand’s single drove in the winning run in the top of the 10th inning to cap the Cubs' unbeaten run through the 10-team double- elimination bracket.
"We battled hard and that's what it's all about," Cubs coach Jared Peterson said. "All year we worked harder than anyone else and fought harder than anyone else. All that paid off with this championship."
The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the first inning but the Sluggers scored in the third and sixth innings to take a 2-1 lead.
A loss by the Cubs would have forced a second title game, but they got it to extra innings with a run in the seventh on Chris Cody's two-out, RBI double.
"We got down a bunt to get some runners over and got two outs, and Chris Cody came up with a big hit to get the run in and tie it up," Peterson said.
Tim Cole, the third pitcher used by the Cubs, blanked the Sluggers the final four innings to earn the victory and give the Cubs their first NBC championship.
"Our pitching was incredible," Peterson said.
"We had a couple of dogfights with them," Peterson said of the Sluggers. "I couldn't be prouder of our team. I have 15 boys here who deserve all the credit."