Eight straight wins send Eastlake to regionals | Youth sports news

Eastlake Little League captured a state championship and will head to California for a chance to make the Little League World Series.

Eastlake Little League’s most successful season ever is not over yet.

The Major All Stars from Sammamish dropped the first game of the state tournament 6-5 to Federal Way and were sent to the loser’s bracket, but stormed back to win eight games in a row to capture the state championship and punch a ticket to the regional tournament in San Bernadino, Calif. beginning August 2.

After the loss to Federal Way, Eastlake rebounded with an 11-0 win over West Plains and a 17-3 defeat of Sedro-Woolley. Its third loser-out game in as many days ended in a 6-0 win over Greater Richland before wins over West Seattle, Pacific and Queen Anne to reach the championship series.

A 13-7 win over Federal Way set the stage for a winner-take-all finale in the second game of a double header, which Eastlake won in deciding fashion 12-2 to take the title.

Fellow state champions from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Wyoming will be waiting at the regional tournament and the Sammamish youngsters will open against Alaska in a 9 a.m. start time.

All of the team’s games will be streamed online by ESPN3 and information is also available on the Little League Northwest Regional website. The top four teams from pool play will advance to the knockout stage, where the champion and Little League World Series participant will be crowned.