Eastlake all-stars score spot in Little League World Series

Eastlake Little League’s 12U all star team was crowned Northwest Regional Champions with a victory Thursday night (Aug. 12), securing its spot in the Little League World Series (LLWS).

With a 10-4 victory over Arrowhead Little League of Montana, Eastlake will move on to represent the Northwest region in this year’s LLWS.

The LLWS is an annual baseball tournament in Williamsport, Penn., that has been happening since 1947. The event hosts the best Little League teams from the United States and abroad. However, this year, due to the pandemic, only U.S. teams will be allowed to compete.

In its victory Thursday, Eastlake’s bats proved too much for Arrowhead, as they collected 15 hits — including four for extra bases. Five of Eastlake’s 10 runs came in the third inning. They also tacked on four more runs in the top half of the sixth inning.

Eastlake was led by Eli Jones, who pitched four and one-third innings, on 85 pitches, giving up just one run on two hits, striking out nine. On the offensive side, Jones went 4-for-4, driving in three runs.

Shortstop Kellen Kinney went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. He also pitched one and two-thirds innings, giving up just two hits and no earned runs.

This is the second time a team from Eastlake has represented the Northwest region at the LLWS. The league previously sent a team in 2013 that finished third place among U.S. teams.

Eastlake will face the winner of the Texas regional at 7 p.m. Aug. 20. The game will be broadcast on ESPN 2.