Submitted photo – The Redwood Empire All-Stars huddle before Tuesday night’s big game in Chico.

Despite Tuesday’s season-ending loss, it was a memorable and very successful summer for the Redwood Empire 11-year-old All-Stars.

The District 26 champs traveled this week to play their Section tournament in Chico and made it all the way to the championship round.

On Tuesday, they fell 17-7 to undefeated champions Chico Central to end their season.

But the young RELL players have every reason to feel proud of their accomplishments and all of them appear to have a bright future in the game.

In Tuesday’s decider they scored more runs against Chico than any other team has managed over the past two summers.

“It was tough for the kids, but that other team was just so smooth,” RELL manager Bob Manchin said. “They made all the right plays and all the right decisions.

“But our guys, they didn’t give up. We kept fighting till the end.”

The RELL All-Stars dropped their opening game at the tournament on Saturday, but battled back to win back-to-back elimination games to reach the championship round.

And there were several standouts in Tuesday’s loss, including Oliver Yoder who capped a good tournament by going 3-for-3 at the plate.

Yoder also got the start on the mound, with teammates Wesley Ask, Oliver Rivas and Ryker Bermers each also seeing time on the mound as Manchin went deep to his bullpen.

Guido Satterlee had a big night at the plate, finishing 2-for-2 and also playing some strong defense at third base and catcher to close out his summer season.

Lavell Washington hit the ball hard and had some quality at-bats, while Wyatt Hall added a base hit and a walk and Carter Conrad finished 1-for-2.

Submitted photo – The Redwood Empire 11s in Chico on Tuesday night.

The bottom of the order, in particular, did their best to keep RELL’s season going.

“Those guys sparked our offense all tournament long,” Manchin said.

After finishing just one spot out of qualifying for the NorCal state tournament, this was a summer these young players will no doubt remember for the rest of their lives.

And the coaches too.

“It’s just a great group of kids,” the manager added. “They work well together and they all know each other well.

“I’d love to have the chance to coach them again next year to see how they grow.”

The tournament, which featured four undefeated District champions, was very competitive from start to finish.

“It was a great tournament,” Manchin said, before adding with a chuckle, “The field was nice, everything was really great, I just wish there was something they could have done about the heat.”