As we write this, we don’t know if the Eastlake Little League made it to the finals of the Little League World Series. Our press deadline was before the team played on Thursday.

Nevertheless, they’re winners.

With their backs against the wall, the players won two games in two consecutive days to keep them in the running for the U.S. title and a chance to play the winner of the international bracket. “Wow” doesn’t come close to what the Sammamish community must be feeling.

Watching them play, it’s easy to forget that they’re still kids. Their skills are sharp, the grasp of the game complete and their will to win firmly embedded in each of them.

Whatever the final outcome of this World Series, the team, its coaches and the parents and friends who have supported them through the entire undertaking deserve our applause.

And a citywide celebration wouldn’t be so bad, either.

… And a loss

Elsewhere on this page, Kevin Endejan, assistant editor of the Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter, says his goodbye to us and the community as he leaves for the next chapter in his life. Make that chapters.

On Monday he moves from his world of sports and news writing to a technical writing job with a Fortune 500 company. Obviously, that company knew a good thing when it saw it.

At almost the same time, he’s going to become a father. Instead of counting down the weeks, he and his wife are now marking days off the calendar.

We wish him all the best and success. He’s earned it by his dedication to the job and the community.

– Craig Groshart, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter