BROOKLYN PARK, Minnesota — A Minnesota team has won the 2019 Wheelchair Softball World Series.
The Minnesota Rollin Twins beat the LWSRA Hawks (Chicago) 11-1 in the championship game.
"It was their goal to bring that trophy back to Minnesota," said coach Jimmy Bowen.
The team last won the title in 2014.
"We feel great. We've been in the championship game nine years in a row and we've blown a few of them, to say the least. Finally feels good to come all the way through and win," said pitcher Jerry Anderson.
The Rollin Twins played six games in Kansas City, Kansas August 15-17. They lost one game but came back to win it all.
"We're family and we have this chemistry with each other," Jackson Larson said. "One thing that we would say in the team huddle before the games was, 'Who's got my back? We got your back.'"
During one of the games, Pete Stigman was at home plate and caught the ball but then got rammed into. Stigman fell out of his chair but held onto the ball.
"So the guy was out because he got the tag before the guy reached home and he held onto the ball," Larson explained.
The play ended up on SportsCenter.
"I actually called him this morning and said, 'How are you feeling?' And he's like, 'I'm still hyped up from that hit,'" said Manny Guerra, who plays first base. "We all have our stories to tell. We're living proof that regardless of something changing the way you do things or growing up with a disability, life goes on. So sport... is the glue that allows us to continue to move forward as brothers, as family."
Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute hosts the Rolling Twins and Jr. Rolling Twins teams.
"Minnesota is kind of the birthplace of wheelchair softball many, many years ago. So many of our current players and past players are in the Hall of Fame for the National Wheelchair Softball Association," said Junior Mamea, program coordinator for the Wheelchair Softball Adult Program for Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute's Sports and Recreation Department.
This year, Minnesota Rollin Twin Brian Chavez was inducted into the NWSA's Hall of Fame.
"I have had the best teammates for 14 years and they helped me produce what i did out there. If it wasn't for them, I would have never gotten inducted," Chavez said.
Many of the players said they hope this win will inspire others with disabilities to join wheelchair softball teams.
"If you do know anybody who has a disability, you do not have to be in a wheelchair to play wheelchair softball. Just anything that holds you back from playing regular softball," said Jeremy Dennis.
Evan Thorn added, "If you're disabled, come on out and tear it up because it's pretty cool."
You can find more information about the Rollin Twins, here.
A list of NWSA wheelchair softball teams can be found, here.
The Minnesota Flamethrowers also came back with a World Series win in the consolation division.