Submitted photo – The McKinleyville All-Stars look on during a tournament game this week.

When the disappointment of Wednesday night’s loss dissipates, the McKinleyville 12-year-old All-Stars and their fans will look back on the summer as one of the most exciting they have ever enjoyed in Little League action.

A thrilling postseason came to an end for the District 26 champs when they lost by just one run to West Redding in the Section tournament championship game in Chico.

The West Redding players, who will now advance to the upcoming NorCal state tournament, rallied with two runs in the bottom of the sixth and final inning for a 14-13 win.

But that was just half the story.

The young Mack players showed plenty of fight to battle back from a late seven-run deficit and took a slender one-run lead with eight runs in the top of the sixth in what was as exciting a Little league game as you will see all summer.

And that’s been a big part of the McKinleyville All-Stars’ season, with three of their last six games decided by just one run.

“This was probably one of the most fun All-Star experiences I’ve ever had, and I think the kids all really enjoyed it,” McKinleyville manager Kirby Hawkes said. “They meshed well.”

The excitement really got going when the Mack players rallied late to secure a 3-2 walk-off win over Redwood Empire in the District championship game two weeks ago.

After dropping their opening game at this week’s Section tournament, the Mack players won three straight elimination games, including a one-run victory over Sutter Butte on Sunday and a memorable 15-12 win over West Redding on Tuesday.

In both games against West Redding, McKinleyville rallied late to overcome big deficits.

“The most impressive thing throughout the tournament was when the kids got down they never gave up,” Hawkes said. “We fought back from multiple deficits.”

Submitted photo

Both matchups against West Redding were instant classics.

“It was definitely a very exciting game,” Hawkes said of Wednesday’s showdown. “Really every game was close, but the last two were a couple of really good Little League games.”

As you would expect from such a thrilling postseason run, there were several standouts for McKinleyville at this week’s tournament, including in Wednesday’s loss.

Colton Hawkes capped a big postseason with arguably his best game of the summer on Wednesday, finishing 3-for-3 with a home run, a double, a walk and two RBIs.

Crew Hicks was equally influential, following a two-home run performance on Tuesday with a 2-for-4 performance on Wednesday.

“Every ball he hits he hit really well,” Kirby Hawkes said of Colton, before adding of Hicks, “I’m very impressed with what he does.”

Reece Combs and Tyus Scofield, meanwhile, were arguably the team’s most clutch performers all summer.

Combs finished 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs on Wednesday.

“He was a very impressive All-Star and one of our clutch hitters,” the manager said. “He just kept coming through for us.”

Scofield, who hit the game-winning hit in the walk-off victory in the District championship, stepped up late again on Wednesday, hitting an RBI infield single to put McKinleyville up by a run in the top of the sixth inning.

“Tyus Scofield came up clutch like he did in the District championship,” Kirby Hawkes said. “And he’s a leader on our team for sure.”

Tatum Brock also enjoyed a big tournament for the Section runners-up and led the way on the mound, including an outstanding performance in Monday’s win over Chico.

“He was kind of our guy on the mound,” the manager said of Brock, who threw a complete game against Chico on just 67 pitches. “He just looked very impressive. It was the best I’ve seen him play.”

Rowdy Furber also impressed on the hill in Wednesday’s loss, throwing five strong innings in relief and giving his team a chance to rally before reaching his pitch limit.

Furber gave up just four hits and two walks and struck out five, while also making some noise at the plate and finishing 2-for-2 with a double, a walk, an RBI and two runs.

Casanova Marshall, who is one of three 11-year-olds on the roster along with Hicks and Combs, also impressed and finished 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored, while James Miner went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and two runs.

Brock finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs, while Braden Tullis was 1-for-1 with a walk, an RBI and a run and also reached base on a hit-by-pitch.

Bo Battilochi and Nate Ryan each went 1-for-3, with both also scoring a run and the latter adding an RBI.