Submitted photo – The Redwood Empire All-Stars and coaches celebrate their championship this week.

By Ray Hamill — With the number of talented young players in the county, it’s safe to suggest the sport of baseball should continue to thrive at the high school baseball level locally in the coming years.

This past week, a pair of local all-star tournaments took center stage and both went right down to the wire in exciting fashion.

At Fortuna, the Redwood Empire 11Us won the District 26 championship with a big 13-0 win over Eel River in Wednesday’s championship game.

Two days later, the McKinleyville 10U All-Stars won their District championship with a hard-fought come-from-behind 6-5 win over Eel River in their championship game in Willow Creek.

Both championship winning teams had to battle back through the losers’ bracket after dropping games earlier in the week, but each showcased their clutch side by claiming back-to-back wins in the championship round.

And that makes each our co-Teams of the Week.

One player in particular helped set the tone for his team in the postseason tournaments.

McKinleyville’s Crew Hicks continued his outstanding year in Little League with a hugely influential week for the 10U All-Stars.

Hicks, who contributed all over the infield, hit three home runs in the six games to help lead his team to the thrilling championship, and he also helped set the tone on the mound with some strong pitching performances.

And that makes the young all-star our athlete of the week.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Crew Hicks

McKinleyville Little League

Hicks has been a force for his teams this year, on the hill, at the plate and at catcher.

The versatile young standout hit three home runs this week, including a big blast to all but end Thursday’s elimination game against Eel River.

Hicks had another big game in Friday’s championship against Eel River, as the Mack All-Stars battled back from an early four-run deficit on their way to the win.

For more on his big week, see Late rally lifts McKinleyville All-Stars to District 26 championship …

Submitted photo

TEAMS OF THE WEEK

McKinleyville 10U All-Stars

Redwood Empire 11U All-Stars

It was obviously a big week for both teams, but it was more the manner in which they each secured a District championship that stands out.

Both teams lost early tournament games against Eel River, but would go on to show their clutch side by battling back through the losers’ bracket on the way to securing their respective titles.

After falling to Eel River on Tuesday night, the Mack All-Stars responded by beating Redwood Empire on Wednesday before knocking off a previously undefeated Eel River team on back-to-back nights.

McKinleyville won big on Thursday by a score of 16-1, but had to battle all the way the following day, rallying from an early four-run deficit to win 6-5.

Not to be out-done, the young Redwood Empire players were equally impressive on their way to the championship.

After falling to Eel River on Sunday, the RELL players responded with a victory over McKinleyville in an elimination game on Monday, before posting back-to-back wins over Eel River on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tuesday’s game was a thriller, with both teams battling neck and neck all the way in a 1-0 game that went nine innings.

Wednesday’s game wasn’t as close, with the Redwood Empire All-Stars quickly taking control and running out to a 13-0 win.