>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

CHOMPING AT THE BIT: Isaac Chamberlain prepares to hit an offering from a Pendleton pitcher Wednesday. - Observer photos/PAUL HARDER

The La Grande 9- 10-year-old Little League baseball All-Star team is headed to the Parkrose Little League baseball complex after defeating Pendleton Wednesday in the District 3 Championships, 13-8.

“It feels pretty sweet right now,” La Grande manager Kraig Jacobs said. “I’ve said it before but tournament experience is everything. We were in this position a lot last year and the kids showed a lot of heart and perseverance today.”

PINT SIZED PUNISHING: La Grande’s Ryan Adams launches a pitch during a 9-10 year old All-Star game Tuesday. Observer photo/PAUL HARDER

The championship game duo has easily stood out from the eight-team tournament field.

HERMISTON — The Subway A’s American Legion baseball team found a little more bounce for its step during the closing games at the Hermiston tournament.

Playing 13 games in eight days prior to the tournament, La Grande looked a little sluggish in its opening games.

“It took a while for the boys to get their feet under them,” Manager Eric Yundt said. “We just came out flat, and couldn’t get a hit to fall.”

WORKING IT: Jake Workinger got the job done at the plate and on the mound during an 11-1 win against Baker Monday. - Observer photos/PAUL HARDER

The final game of the day between La Grande and Baker County lasted the same amount of time and ended in four innings.

HOME COOKIN’: La Grande Swim Club’s Matt Cook dives into his lane during his first place finish in the boys 200-yard individual medley. Cook’s time of 2:09:56 was two seconds shy of his personal record. Observer photo/BARRETT HENDERSON

“Overall the meet went really well,” Andrews said. “The kids swam well across the board. We had a lot of personal bests. Our kids just raced real well.

“A home meet like this is really important. Some of these kids can’t even get away for a meet, and having one here gives them a chance to race. They get a chance to reap the benefits of all their hard work in the pool.”

SLIP N SLIDE: A Union County base runner slides under the Baker County tag during Union County’s 14-10 victory over Baker County Sunday in the District 3 Little League baseball tournament. Observer photo/BARRETT HENDERSON

The only thing that came close to beating La Grande’s 9-10 year old all-stars Saturday and Sunday was the weather.

Clear skies and warm temperatures were the perfect background for the opening days of pool play in the District 3 tournament, which will continue through Wednesday.

Blake Partney helped the Subway A’s salvage a split against The Dalles Wednesday.

Partney warmed up his bat during an 13-9 loss in Game 1, and picked up an 8-6 win on the mound in the nightcap.

“He did a good job for us,”

La Grande manager Eric Yundt said. “We didn't play that well in the opening game, but the boys picked it up.”

PENDLETON — The La Grande Swim Club participated in the Summer Solstice Invitational Swim Meet in Pendleton June 20-21. The meet was co-hosted by the Pendleton Swim Association and the Spokane Area Swimming Club.

Sixteen teams competed from Northeast Oregon, eastern Washington, and Idaho. Though the weather was inconsistent over the weekend the swimmers swam well, LGSC head coach Joe Andrews said.

LGSC had two individual high point winners. Dhara-Chai McDermott and Matt Cook both scored more points than the competitors in their respective age groups.

The place to be Tuesday evening was Optimist Field. The smell of hot dogs wafted in the air, the temperature was perfect complemented by sunny skies and ding of baseballs hitting metal bats could be heard — a lot.

The La Grande Subway A’s and Pendleton’s Hodgen Distributing legion teams combined for 30 runs off of 28 hits in a nine-inning offensive showcase.

The Subway A’s prevailed when the day was over, 18-12.

PENDLETON — Weather took its toll on the Subway Legion tournament in

La Grande. The single A games were washed out Friday and Monday.

The La Grande Subway A’s split its two games Saturday.