Sammamish’s Eastlake Little League continues on magical run

The Little Leaguers from Sammamish just keep winning. They dusted the competition in California, and now they’re in Pennsylvania for the Little League World Series.

The Eastlake All-Stars beat the Montana state champs to win the Northwest Regional over the weekend, becoming the 10th Washington team to make the Little League World Series.

“Everybody’s pretty excited and pretty tired,” assistant coach Matt Fitzgibbons said while on a lay-over from San Bernardino, California, to Williamsport, Pennsylvania. “The kids are kind of a mix of exhausted and super excited all at the same time.”

This is the team’s third 10-day road trip in about five weeks. The kids and coaches spent all Sunday on planes and buses to reach Williamsport. Today, they get fitted for their new uniforms. They get new helmets and bats, too.

They get to meet players from around the world. “These kids are in the position that millions of kids would love to be in,” said Coach Fitz. “It’s an experience you can’t buy. It’s such a unique memory for them. It’s just great.”

Jack Rud is a utility player on the team. He said it’s been a great ride. “We won districts,” he said. “We won state. Now we won regionals. Now we’re here. I’m really excited.”

Eastlake will have its hands full in its opening game against Corpus Christi, Texas, on Thursday, but Coach Fitz said they’ll be ready. “They’re up to it,” he said. “They’re just really excited to get some more action. All they want to do is play.”

Right fielder Bryce Delay has the right attitude going in. “It feels great that we made it this far,” he said. “Everything’s pretty much icing on the cake.”

The team has set up a crowd-funding site to help the parents pay for this cross-country trip, their third unplanned trip in the last five weeks.