The Lakeside-Issaquah Junior American Legion claimed the District 11 championship July 24, downing Enumclaw 3-2 in the championship game. The victory earned the team a No. 1 seed in the state tournament, which begins at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow, Aug. 2 against Burlington in Selah.

Lakeside-Issaquah, 30-7 overall, finished the district tournament undefeated, earning a 6-5 over Mount Rainier and a 7-2 victory over Lakeside-Newport.

Pitcher Mike Paulsen kept Enumclaw off balance for six innings in the championship game before Tyler Allott came in with two runners on in the seventh to earn the save. Michael Dixon (2-for-3), Michael Huynh (1 RBI), and Shane Yarnell (1 RBI) all provided key plays at the plate and in the field. Yarnell was named tournament MVP. He earned the victory against Mt. Rainier and was a combined 3-for-6 at the plate with five RBI over three games.

Dustin Talley and Dixon had two RBI apiece in the Mount Rainier victory. Yarnell was 2-for-2 with three RBI against Lakeside-Newport, while Pete Balzarini was 2-for-3 at the plate. Austin O’Neil picked up the win on the mound.

This is the third consecutive year Lakeside-Issaquah has advanced to the state tournament. The team finished second place overall in 2007. The state tournament has two brackets, one in Selah and one in Kennewick. The winners of each bracket will play Aug. 7 for the right to move into the regional tournament.