Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – McKinleyville pitcher Colton Hawkes throws to first base for an out during Thursday’s game.

By Ray Hamill — The McKinleyville All-Stars capped a dominating week at the Redwood Fields in Cutten with a 10-3 win over Eel River in the 8-9-10 District 26 championship game.

The young Mack players got big contributions from all 12 players on the way to a three-game sweep in tournament play.

They opened on Sunday with a 9-5 win over Eel River, before advancing to the championship round with an 11-5 win over Redwood Empire on Tuesday.

“I thought the team performance was pretty good,” head coach Kirby Hawkes said. “From top to bottom they all showed up, they all swung the bat well. Everyone in our lineup is a tough out.”

This group of young all-stars have been playing together for a couple of years on local travel teams and that experience showed on their march to the District championship.

“They’re just a very athletic scrappy bunch,” Hawkes said. “A lot of them have played together since they were eight, so they’re very familiar with each other. In McKinleyville, you get lots of baseball.”

Once again, the Mack pitchers rose to the occasion in Thursday’s win.

Colton Hawkes pitched the opening four innings, with closer Tyus Scofield coming in for the final two innings, and both impressed.

At the plate, Tatum Brock had a big tournament and led the team offense along with Hawkes, Scofield and Crew Hicks.

Hicks also caught every inning in tournament play and was a “stud behind the plate,” according to his coach.

And they weren’t the only players to impress their coaches this week.

Submitted photo – The McKinleyville players and coaches celebrate their District 26 championship on Thursday.

Left fielder Reece Combs had a big catch in Thursday’s championship, while Rowdy Furber provided a reliable glove at first base and Cooper Jones had some key hits in each of the opening two games.

Casanova Marshall also has provided a reliable glove while playing both second base and shortstop, while Reylan Benge, Kaydee Carper, Bo Battilocchi and Braden Tullis all stepped up their game this week.

The Mack players will now turn their attention to next month’s Section tournament, which will be held in McKinleyville.

“We’re going to get back to practice next week,” Kirby Hawkes said. “We’ll take a little time off for July 4th and get right back at it after that.”

The McKinleyville All-Stars are also coached by Nate Combs and Mike Jones.

Submitted photo