Photos by Ray Hamill/Humboldt Sports.com

The Redwood Empire All-Stars took a five-run lead in the top of the first inning and made it stick, going on to defeat Eel River 10-7 in the District 26 tournament on Wednesday night.

The win sets up a championship showdown against McKinleyville in the 8-9-10 bracket at the Arcata Little League fields on Thursday evening.

The Eel River players responded from the early onslaught with three runs of their own in the bottom of the first, but they were unable to overcome the Redwood Empire challenge.

The loss ends the season for Eel River.

Thursday’s game is set for 6 p.m.

The tournament has been going on since Saturday.