The Eastlake 10-11 year-old Little League All Stars had the state tournament in their sights, but fell just short in Tuesday night’s District 9 championship at Issaquah’s Dodd Field.

The local group of all stars went up 3-2 over Redmond West in the bottom of the second inning after Matt Kelleran lifted a two-run home run over the centerfield fence. Redmond West battled back for three runs in the next inning, however, and never trailed again on their way to an 8-6 victory. Eastlake trailed 8-3 in headed to the fifth, and rallied over the next two innings RBI hits from Zakk Weber, Connor McCabe and Kelleran.

Eastlake could have clinched a state berth on Monday night, but fell 10-9 to Redmond West in a 2 hour, 45 minute marathon. Eastlake led by three runs twice, 3-0 and 7-4, and carried a 9-8 lead into the sixth and final inning. Redmond West scored the winning run when Nick Viola crossed home plate on a double steal.

Kelleran led Eastlake at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a two-run double. Alex Gagliaro added a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the second inning — the first of his career.

Eastlake 9-10 year-olds take District 9 title

The Eastlake 9-10 year-old all stars battled through the losers’ bracket to win the District 9 title in dramatic fashion Tuesday night in Redmond. Eastlake beat Mercer 9-8 Monday to stay alive, and 4-3 on Tuesday to earn the championship.

Ben Howard was 2-for-2 in the championship game and Zach Vanderhoek went 2-for-3 with a double. Hank Pladson and Cole Brinkman added triples. Eastlake begins the state tournament at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 18 at Valley Ridge in Sea Tac against the District 4 champion.

11-12-year old tournament underway

The 11-12-year-old Majors tournament began last Saturday at Hidden Valley in Bellevue. Three area teams, Eastlake, Sammamish National and Sammamish American, were still alive as of Thursday morning. Sammamish National beat Snoqualmie Valley 3-2 Saturday, beat Bellevue Thunderbird 13-1 on Sunday and squeezed by Kirkland National 5-3 on Wednesday to move into the winners’ bracket semifinals against Mercer Island. Eastlake defeated Sno Valley North 5-4 on Saturday, beat Redmond West 11-2 on Sunday and lost 7-2 to Mercer Island on Wednesday, falling into the losers’ bracket. They face Kirkland American or Thunderbird Friday in a loser-out game. Sammamish American was also alive in the losers’ bracket, scheduled to play Thursday against Bellevue West in loser-out game. Issaquah was eliminated in two games, falling 3-1 to Bellevue Thunderbird and 6-1 to Snoqualmie Valley.

To see updated brackets and results of the District 9 tournament click here.