Issaquah Little League team makes history

It has followers of the Issaquah Little League flicking through the record books. “As far back as people can remember, nobody can recall a team at the Coast or Major level going undefeated through League and City championships,” said Mike Mahovlich, coach of the Issaquah Little League Coast Blue Jays.

It has followers of the Issaquah Little League flicking through the record books.

“As far back as people can remember, nobody can recall a team at the Coast or Major level going undefeated through League and City championships,” said Mike Mahovlich, coach of the Issaquah Little League Coast Blue Jays.

His group of 9-to-11 year-olds accomplished the feat on June 18 by defeating the Issaquah Little League Mariners, 9-6, for the Tri-League Coast championship.

“It’s not like you can stack the teams in the real young divisions,” Mahovlich said. “When a team does do this, obviously, it’s a special team. Really, the goal of the league is just for a team to go .500.”

The Blue Jays, who finished a perfect 16-0, were tested throughout the season with a couple of close calls. In one early-season game, they fell behind 5-0 in the first inning. They never hung their heads, however, battling back for the win.

“It just kind of showed the character of the team,” Mahovlich said. “It was real fun. It was a great group kids, a great group of parents.”

The ILL Blue Jays went 12-0 in the regular season before beating the ILL Mariners for the City Championship. They defeated Eastlake Little League in the first round of the Tri-City tournament before earning one more win over the ILL Mariners.

“I told the kids that it’s something you’ll remember for the rest of your lives,” Mahovlich said. “They did well, they gelled together, they played really good baseball. They really improved, which is my goal.”

The Issaquah, Sammamish and Eastlake Little Leagues are now preparing for All-Star tournaments which begin at various locations this Saturday.