Eastlake Little League Finishes Third in State as Miracle Run Ends

The Eastlake Little League All-Stars fell 7-1 to Kent on Friday night to finish third in the state for their age division (11-12 year olds).

The loss ended an improbable all-star season run for Eastlake, which included seven straight victories to end the District 9 tournament and another three to start the state tournament. Eastlake fell to North Bothell in the winner's bracket final and saw their season come to an end two nights later against Kent.

"The kids did a great job," Eastlake manager Rob Carney said.

After winning theirfirst three games at state, including a second-round victory over Kent, by a combined score of 30-3, the vaunted Eastlake offense finally slowed down, as the lineup produced just four total runs in its next two games.

Against North Bothell, Eastlake battled an impressive opposingpitching staff to a 1-1 tie through five innings. Eastlake surrendered five two-out runs in the top of the sixth inning and its own rally fell short in the bottom of the inning to hand Eastlake its first all-star loss since July 10.

"Things looked like they were going to happen, potentially, but we just couldn't make it go," Carney said.

Still reeling from the tough loss to North Bothell, Eastlake stumbled against a hot Kent team and lost 7-1 to end its season.

"They jumped on us right away and we just didn't get hits," Carney said. "In the last couple of games, we just didn't get the hits we need to, like we had in the past. Previously, we would have gotten some base hits and scored runs, but it just didn't happen. We just kind of hit a well these last couple of games."

The third place finish seemed well out of reach for Eastlake after losing in the second round of the District 9 tournament. Eastlake's run to state included a stretch where the team outscored its opponents by a combined 101-25 over a ten-game stretch. Despite the season-ending loss, Carney said the all-star season goes down as a success in his eyes.

"The kids played well, they had a great run," Carney said. "I'm just real proud of them for what they accomplished."