Submitted photo – The Eel River players celebrate their championship win on Wednesday night.

The Eel River 10-year-old All-Stars answered the call with a big performance when they needed it the most at their Section tournament in Clearlake on Wednesday night.

After losing to Westside Chico 14-9 on Tuesday night, the District 26 champs had an opportunity to right the ship 24 hours later when they faced off against the same team in a true championship showdown.

And this time they would not be denied.

This time they rose to the challenge their coaches presented to them.

This Eel River players prevailed 18-8, claiming the Section championship and advancing to the NorCal State tournament for the first time in at least 14 years.

“Tuesday’s game was the complete opposite of how we played (on Wednesday),” Eel River manager Erik Bess said. “In Tuesday’s game we lost our composure, we didn’t pitch well, we didn’t run the bases well.

“And before Wednesday’s game, we told the kids you’ve got to play with composure and character. And they did.”

It was a battle and close for much of the game, and Eel River trailed 7-6 going into the fifth.

But they responded with a huge inning, scoring 10 runs to take control of the game, and with the team pitching rediscovering its swagger on the mound, that would prove to be enough to secure the elusive Section title.

Jayce Fockaert got the start on the mound and threw 3.1 innings, before Carter Bess took over and closed out the game.

Both pitchers epitomized the team composure and showed no signs of nervousness in the biggest game of their young lives.

“Jayce competed,” Erik Bess said. “Him and Carter are two kids you can put on the mound and they hold their composure.”

The middle of the lineup also played a big role in the win.

Knox Danielson finished 2-for-5 and hit a key bases-clearing double, while Drake Bohn was 2-for-3 and scored four runs, and Fockaert was 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs.

As a team, the Eel River players were patient at the plate and drew 13 walks.

Asked what impressed him the most about his team’s performance, Erik Bess said it was the response the players showed.

“The way we battled after Tuesday’s loss,” the manager said. “The attitude was great and they stuck with it the whole six innings.”

While the manager wasn’t certain, he said he believes this is the first time the Eel River 10s have advanced to the state tournament since 2012.

They will have a quick turnaround, opening the NorCal State tournament in Fremont on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

“All of us coaches are proud of these kids,” Erik Bess said. “They did a great job and we’re ready to move on and keep battling.”