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The Falls Church Kiwanis Little League 12U Majors All-Stars advanced to the Virginia state semifinals after a four-game winning streak, extending a historic tournament run that began with the 2026 District 4 championship.
Falls Church opened state pool play July 17 with a 13-1 victory over Bedford Metro. James Labukas, Hunter Roy and Will Talbert each recorded multiple hits as the team began the tournament with a decisive win.
The team followed with a 15-1 victory over Roanoke City on July 18. Colin Dailey and Spencer Allan combined for eight strikeouts in the win, giving Falls Church a 2-0 record entering its final pool-play game.
That game, against McIntire of Charlottesville, carried first place in the pool and a place in the state quarterfinals at stake. Falls Church again prevailed, winning 4-1.
Jay McKeown Jr. pitched two hitless, scoreless innings against McIntire. Falls Church held a 2-1 lead entering the bottom of the fifth inning, when Thomas Stewart hit a two-run double to left field. Gavin Kuczkowski finished the game in relief.
The victory sent Falls Church to the Virginia state quarterfinals for the first time in league history. In the quarterfinal July 20, the team defeated Virginia Beach 11-2, with Will Talbert pitching all six innings and allowing two runs. Andrew Quinn and William Southworth also provided error-free outfield defense.
Timmy Verasin caught innings in each of Falls Church’s five state tournament games, another constant throughout the team’s run.
Falls Church’s tournament ended later July 20 with an 8-1 semifinal loss to Lower Loudoun. Lower Loudoun took a 1-0 lead after the first inning, added three runs in the third and four in the sixth.
Falls Church scored its only run when Evan Iweagwu singled and McKeown followed with an RBI double. Supporters gave the team a standing ovation after the loss.
The 12-player all-star team was led by head coach Alex Kuczkowski and assistant coaches Chris Talbert, Jon Labukas and Brad Allan. The players began playing together for the season June 1.
“The scoreboard may say our season is over, but it can never erase what this group accomplished,” Labukas said.
He added: “Years from now, people won’t remember every score. They’ll remember that this was the team that broke through. The team that made history. The team that proved Falls Church belongs on the biggest stage.”