Submitted photo – The McKinleyville 12-year-old All-Stars improved to 2-0 at the Section 2 tournament in Susanvile.

The McKinleyville 12-year-old All-Star coaches might want to plan another fishing trip for their players on Sunday.

On Saturday morning, the Mack players remained unbeaten at the Section 2 tournament in Susanville with a 1-0 win over Foothill to advance to the championship round and move within one win of reaching the NorCal State tournament.

After an opening-day win over West Chico on Thursday, McKinleyville had a bye on Friday and the players went on a fishing trip together.

The rest day paid off with a gutsy performance on Saturday in a close game against a very good Foothill team.

“I think the fishing trip made a difference. They were relaxed and ready to go,” McKinleyville head coach Jaime Arredondo said.

It was, however, a close battle all the way to the final pitch.

“It was a nail-biter,” Arredondo added. “The boys were having fun but I think all the adults were biting their nails and pacing back and forth. But the boys kept their cool.”

Ty Wade scored what would be the winning run on a Colton Hawkes double in the top of the fifth inning, just moments after he had reached base on a double.

They were two of just four hits on the day for McKinleyville, but the District 26 champs made them count.

Wade also played a big role on the mound, getting the start and throwing three strong innings to help keep the Foothill bats in check.

Hawkes and Teoh Arredondo each also pitched in relief and the three McKinleyville pitchers combined to hold Foothill to just three hits for the game.

Tatum Brock also made some big plays on defense in the outfield, while catcher Jared Brunner continued to impress behind the plate in the hot conditions and has caught every inning in tournament play.

In addition to his standout performance on the hill, Teoh Arredondo also made a crucial play at shortstop, blocking a hard-hit ball from getting to the outfield and denying Foothill what would have been a certain run.

Young Arredondo also helped set the tone for the game with a first-inning double, while Asher Avelar laid down a well-placed bunt single to round out the four team hits.

The Foothill defense, according to Jaime Arredondo, made some outstanding plays that you don’t usually see at this level, denying the Mack All-Stars four or five additional hits.

“It was an exiting game,” the McKinleyville head coach said.

The Mack players will resume tournament play on Monday night at 6 p.m. against either Chico or Foothill, each of whom they have already defeated.

“The boys are keeping their cool,” the Mack coach added. “They’re into it, but we know our job’s not done. It’s one day at a time.

“We’re ready to rest again tomorrow and come back on Monday and hopefully close it out.”

Years of playing travel ball together has helped.

“The baseball IQ of this group is pretty high,” said Jaime Arredondo, who also praised the input of assistant coaches Travis Brunner and Kirby Hawkes. “They’ve all played a lot of travel ball together.”