The first team from Africa to compete in the Little League World Series will go home with a win.

After Uganda lost to Panama in its opening game Friday night, the Ugandan team went on to defeat Oregon, 3-2, in its consolation game to earn the first Little League World Series victory for an African country — one more acknowledgment to the growth of the sport.

Since arriving in central Pennsylvania last week, the Ugandans have been in the batting cages by 6:30 each morning, taking swings while the other 15 teams were asleep. The boys cannot wait to play each day. They want to wring as much out of their experience as possible, savoring the simple pleasures of playing Ping-Pong and swimming in the pool at the players’ compound.

“They wish they could stay here in America,” Odong said. “They are not even thinking about going back home. They said they want to stay here and play ball.

“Being here provides a lot of hope for these kids. It gives them that feeling that they are also people.”

A huge congratulations to the players and coaches on a job well done.

Check out a video of their unique journey here.

(Photo credit: MLB)