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The McKinleyville 12-year-old All-Stars remain on course for a return trip to the NorCal State tournament after a thrilling extra-innings win over West Chico on Thursday.

The District 26 champs opened the Section 2 tournament in Susanville with a crucial 4-3 victory to keep them in the winners’ bracket and give them a bye in tournament play on Friday.

But it took a little extra work and two additional innings in 100-degree temperatures to secure the win.

Hudson Kapko hit what turned out to be the game-winning RBI double in the top of the eighth inning to score teammate Lucas Ball from second and McKinleyville was able to hold on after that.

And the impressive Kapko’s influence was felt in more ways than that.

The young Mack all-star also featured on the mound, making his first pitching appearance in 10 weeks after a long layoff through injury.

But he didn’t miss a beat and was one of five pitchers head coach Jaime Arredondo used in order to keep the staff as fresh as possible for the remainder of the tournament.

“It was a huge moment for us to have Huddy back on the mound,” Arredondo said.

Layne McCullough also played a key role in the win, hitting an RBI double in the seventh that scored Jared Brunner.

“That was a huge shot,” Arredondo said of McCullough’s hit. “He came through for us in a big moment.”

Brunner and Ty Wade each also had a base hit in the win, while Teoh Arredondo showcased his patience and keen eye at the plate with three walks.

McKinleyville got the game off to an impressive start with two runs in the top of the first inning, but the Chico all-stars would battle back to tie the game and force the extra innings.

They tied the game a second time in the bottom of the seventh, but McKinleyville pitcher Colton Hawkes and his defense would make sure there were no more comebacks with a scoreless eighth inning and they held on for the win.

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“Overall, it was a determined performance,” Jaime Arredondo said. “It would have been easy to fold in the seventh, but these kids have heart. They really do.”

Several players stepped in the win, including Wade, Teoh Arredondo, Ball, Kapko and Hawkes, who all saw time on the hill.

Hawkes also had a big game at shortstop after replacing young Arredondo there, while Brunner was outstanding at catcher despite the hot conditions and he allowed just two passed balls all game.

Even more impressive was the fact McKinleyville won despite facing a Chico pitcher who was recorded throwing as fast as 73 miles per hour, a remarkable speed for a 12-year-old.

“Chico had a really good pitcher,” Jaime Arredondo said. “I don’t think we’ll see another pitcher in this tournament that throws that hard.”

Crucially, the win gives the McKinleyville players a day off on Friday, before they resume tournament play against either Susanville or Foothill on Saturday at 10 a.m.

According to the coach, the players have a fishing trip planned for Friday to “let them decompress a little after such a big game.”

Equally impressive, this is a group of players that are embracing the challenge of making a return trip to the state tournament and facing the high expectations head on.

“There’s a huge weight on their shoulders because they’re expected to do well,” the coach added. “But they believe they’re here to win this. They’re there to get to state and a game like that proves it.

“They’re determined to go to state and it was a total team effort.”

Defensively, McKinleyville committed just two errors on the day.