Eastlake Little League won its first game at the Little League World Series Thursday, beating the Southwest regional champions from Corpus Christi, Texas 8-4 behind two-RBI days from Jacob Dalhstrom and Nate Fitzgibbons.
Four pitchers worked in the win for Eastlake, as Dahlstrom, Dalton Chandler, Will Armbruester and Jack Matheson combined for eight strikeouts, allowing eight hits and only a single earned run.
Five players finished with at least one base hit for manager Rob Chandler’s squad, led by three each from Dalton Chandler and Jack Carper, who each had a 3-4 game.
Next up for Eastlake is an ABC televised game on Sunday at 11 a.m. PDT against either the Southeast champs from Nashville, Tenn. or the New England regional winners from Westport, Conn.
The opening game win by Eastlake garnered its share of attention on social media, as everyone from Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson to the official account for the Mariners weighing in.
Former Major League pitcher and Eastlake High School grad Blake Hawksworth, along with Eastlake Little League president Dan Bickford, said the support has been palpable in the community.
The EX3 Teen Center in Sammamish will host a watch party for the game free of charge.
Sammamish rolls to 8-4 win in Williamsport. Nice work, guys! RT @EastlakeLL: We win!
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) August 15, 2013
Love watching the Little League World Series and these kids from the State of Washington just balling! #GoHawks
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) August 15, 2013