Submitted photo – The McKinleyville 10s in Turlock on Saturday.

The McKinleyville 10-year-old All-Stars got the NorCal state tournament off to a winning start on Saturday morning, defeating Land Park 4-2 in Turlock.

The Mack players won with some quality pitching, some excellent defense and some timely hitting.

Breyden Brock pitched four scoreless innings, before being pulled at 50 pitches, with Liam Currell and Hudson Kapko both pitching in relief.

Kapko got the final four outs of the game, including three straight strikeouts in the sixth.

Brock also led the way at the plate to cap a good all-around game and finished 2-for-2 with a walk.

Teoh Arredondo, Colton Hawkes, and Tanner Baxter each also had a hit for McKinleyville to round out a five-hit team performance.

Arredondo also led the way defensively with several nice plays at shortstop, including combining with with second baseman Colton Hawkes and Kapko at first on a 6-4-3 double play.

The Mack All-Stars will continue tournament play on Sunday when they take on San Mateo at 7 p.m.

Arredondo is expected to get the start on the mound.

Tough outing for McKinleyville 12s

The McKinleyville 12-year-olds will have to battle back through the elimination bracket once again after dropping their state tournament opener on Saturday.

McKinleyville fell 15-5 to Rincon Valley.

“We just didn’t really hit the ball today, and (Rincon Valley) were hitting the ball hard,” manager Patrick Green said. 

One bright spot for McKinleyville was Carson Hicks, who hit a two-run home run, while teammate Tate Saso finished 2-for-3.

The good news for the Mack players is that they have been in this situation before and have played effectively with their backs to the wall, having won nine straight elimination games in the District and Section tournaments.

They play again at 10 a.m. on Sunday.

“We’ve got to be a little more mentally sound and ready to go,” Green said.

McKinleyville will take on either Los Gatos or Try City.