Robbinsdale, Minnesota moved one step closer to a berth in this year's Little League World Series on Saturday (July 31) as they beat Iowa 2-1 in their opener of the Midwest Regionals in Indianapolis. Robbinsdale, who won the Minnesota state championship last Sunday, got a no-hitter from ace righty Tyler Ockuly. Ockuly also struck out 13 Iowa batters in the win. Iowa opened the scoring in the first inning on a walk, with a passed ball eventually bringing home the game's first run. Robbinsdale responded in the third with both of their runs thanks to a 2-run single by Michael Keefe. Ockuly and Phillip Fanjul scored on the play. The win puts Robbinsdale at 1-and-0 in pool play with their next game scheduled for Monday night (August 2) against Kansas.

Tyler Ockuly, the Robbinsdale pitcher who threw the no-hitter. David Tranvik and Tyler Ockuly Tyler Ockuly slides in safely with Robbinsdale's 2nd run Jantzen Procai at the plate Philip Fanjul makes the play at second base. Nick Lauer on first, Sam Mayes in background at second Game one winners, Robbinsdale celebrates their opening day win