Photos by Ray Hamill/Humboldtsports.com – McKinleyville’s Bode Reininger slides into home plate during Wednesday’s game.

Here we go again.

The McKinleyville 9-10 Little League All-Stars are headed back to the state tournament for the second straight year after rolling to a Section Two championship at Hiller Park this week.

And they’re not alone, joining the Mack 11-year-old all-stars, who also are making a return trip to the state tournament after claiming their section title in Anderson this week.

The 9-10s completed a big week and an undefeated run through the section tournament with a commanding 14-1 win over Sutter Butte on Wednesday night.

It was their second win over Sutter Butte in three days, although this one was far more comprehensive than the 4-3 victory on Monday.

Pitcher Avery Saunders

And the Mack players set the tone early, on both sides of the ball.

Playing in front of a large home crowd, McKinlyeville opened fast with three runs in the first inning.

Bode Reininger gave his team the lead on a Joe Tanno double, before a Cody Wilson sacrifice bunt plated Hunter Carper for a two-run advantage.

Minutes later Tanno made it 3-0, scoring on a double steal.

The Mack defense was just as impressive early in the game, when third baseman Lucas Jones combined with Reininger behind the plate to tag out a Sutter baserunner attempting to score.

Tate Saso

And that was enough to spark pitcher Avery Saunders and his defense, who settled into the game quickly after that, while getting plenty of help from the offense.

Carper, who came in to relieve Saunders in the fourth, finished the game with a pair of doubles and three RBIs, while Rhythm Green added a triple.

Jones, Tanno and Tate Saso each also had a double in the win, while Reininger singled.

Saso and Reininger each also drove in two runs. 

McKinleyville will now head to Rocklin for the state tournament, which gets under way this weekend.

The 11-year-old all-stars will also be in action this weekend, in San Jose.