Submitted photo

Crew Hicks hit a home run to lead off the game for the McKinleyville 10-year-old Little League All-Stars on Friday night, as they cruised to a 12-2 win over Sutter Area in Cottonwood.

Playing in temperatures close to 115 degrees, the Mack players stayed red-hot and got big contributions from throughout their lineup to remain in the winners’ bracket at the Section 2 tournament.

The win sets up a showdown against Chico at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Hicks set the tone on the opening at-bat with a long ball to right center field and the District 26 champs never looked back.

“It was a party in the dugout,” head coach Quintin Carper said.

Jacob Carper got the start on the mound and threw 3.2 strong innings of no-hit ball, with Reece Combs and Hicks each throwing an inning in relief.

Jacob Carper had three strikeouts while Combs had one and Hicks two.

Both Combs and Hicks will be available to pitch again as soon as Saturday, while Jacob Carper kept his pitch count at 35 and will be ready to go again after a day’s rest.

All three pitchers got plenty of help from their defense, including a game-ending 1-6-3 double play.

“Our defense played great today all-around,” Quintin Carper said. 

Hicks, Casanova Marshall and Jacob Carper combined on the double play.

Hicks also had a big day at the plate and finished 3-for-3 with the home run, while Jacob Carper went 2-for-4 and Kai Osbourne-Wallace was 2-for-2.

Osbourne-Wallace took full advantage of his opportunities after being moved up in the lineup because he has been hitting the ball well, according to his coach.

“Everyone was putting the ball in play,” the head coach added. “And our base running was great. The kids were flying around the bases and making good reads.”

The game, which almost had to be postponed because the temperatures in Cottonwood were close to the legal limit for Little League, was delayed half an hour because of some paperwork problems with the Sutter team.

But the delay didn’t seem to bother the McKinleyville players, who collectively were ready for the occasion.

“Everyone called upon did a good job, even in spots they weren’t used to playing,” Quintin Carper added.

Among the defensive highlights of the game, Blake Smith made a big catch for an out down the left field line, which his coach described as “pretty clutch,” while Kaydee Carper played almost the entire game at catcher in the extreme heat and turned in a gutsy performance.

“She did a really good job behind the plate,” the head coach said. “Catching all six innings in that heat is pretty tough.”

Asher Kapko also made some big plays at second base.

Three other local Little League All-Star teams are also scheduled to play on Saturday on what will be a busy day for the District 26 teams.

The Redwood Empire 11-year-old All-Stars will play their Section 2 Tournament opener in Yuba City at 9 a.m., while the McKinleyville Junior All-Stars will begin their NorCal state tournament against Delta Sunrise at 7 p.m. in Rocklin.

The McKinleyville 12s, who won their Section tournament opener in Susanville in extra innings on Thursday, will return to action on Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

Submitted photo – The Redwood Empire 11-year-old All-Stars will open their Section tournament on Saturday morning.