File photo – McKinleyville’s Mike Manzi

The McKinleyville Junior All-Stars improved to 2-0 in their section tournament on Saturday with an 8-5 victory over Yreka.

But they had to battle for this one after falling behind by five runs early in the game.

Ted Yarbrough got the win on the mound in relief and pitched “lights out,” according to manager Wayne Wilson.

The victory will give the Mack All-Stars plenty of confidence going forward.

“I wish we didn’t come out flat like we did,” Wilson said, adding that “I was proud of them. They showed they can stay in a game and come back.”

In addition to Yarbrough, several Mack players played well, including Blake Santos, who finished 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and two runs.

James Fike also was 1-for-2 with a walk, a run and a key double that scored the tying run and gave his team some big momentum.

Ray Turner also had an impact at the plate and finished 2-for-4 with a run, while also playing well in center field.

“It was a total team effort,” the manager said.

Hunter also was 1-for-1 and reached base four times after being hit by a pitch three times.

Cody Wilson got the start on the mound and pitched well, but unfortunately some errors led to the early Yreka scoring.

The come-from-behind win sets up a winners bracket showdown on Sunday at noon.

The win also lifts the four local Little League All-Star teams in action this weekend to 7-1 combined heading into a late game for the Mack 10s on Saturday night.