PORTLAND – The La Grande 9-and 10-year-old Little League baseball team finished third in the state Saturday with a victory in the state consolation game.

La Grande fell to North Bend Friday 11-0, which kept La Grande out of Saturday’s state championship game.

“North Bend hit the ball well,” La Grande manager Kraig Jacobs said. “We just couldn’t get a hit. Elias (Siltanen) did well on the mound for us. We didn’t make the plays.”

CONNECTION PERFECTION: Tyson Wicklander of Union County connects on this pitch from The Dalles during Union County’s 10-6 loss to The Dalles at Optimist Field. Observer photo/PAUL HARDER

The Dalles used a four-run sixth inning to defeat Union County, 10-6, in the North Oregon Babe Ruth state tournament.

“It seems like that one inning is getting us every game,” Union County manager Shaun Cederholm said. “It hurt us bad this time because it ended our tournament.

JOSEPH — After the first- day jitters, the riders at the 64th annual Chief Joseph Days began to dazzle at the Harley Tucker Memorial Arena Thursday.

The highlight event of Go Round 2 might have been barrel racing. Six riders all finished with a time under 18 seconds and are within half a second from the top time.

Alex Robertson and B.J. Campbell were the first to collect money. The pair finished in the top spots in steer wrestling and won $889.51.

The Observer/BARRETT HENDERSON

Already at 1-1 in the North Oregon state tournament, Union County could not afford another loss and play a top team from the National Divison.

Unfortunately for Union County, it was a must-win game for Hermiston as well.

POWER TO THE PEEBLES: Steven Peebles of Redmond holds on during his bareback riding second place finish first round score of 79. After the first go-round Shannon Miller of LaLuz, N.M., leads with an 82. - Observer photos/BARRETT HENDERSON

And Tallman was right. Wednesday night’s large crowd was treated to an excellent start to the Chief Joseph Days.

The main grandstands were full along with most of the far side bleachers at Harley Tucker Memorial Arena. The atmosphere was one-of-a-kind. The aroma of the burgers supporting the Joseph education system just blocked out the animals enough.

GOING, GOING, GONE: La Grande and Isaac Chamberlain are headed to the state semifinals after beating Klamath Falls Tuesday. Observer file photo

Tuesday the La Grande All-Stars defeated Klamath Falls, 13-1, in its final game in pool play.

“I thought we came out of the gates real slow,” La Grande manager Kraig Jacobs said. “I was worried we were having a repeat of our first game versus Murrayhill.

TIGHT SQUEEZE: Union County’s Brandon Cederholm is tagged out at home by the Snake River Valley Americans’ catcher during UC’s 13-3 opening game victory at the North Oregon state tournament. The Observer/BARRETT HENDERSON

After defeating the Snake River Valley Americans 11-6 just 11 days in the District 3 tournament, the Americans gave Union County all it could handle Tuesday night at Optimist Field.

Union County only had a 1-0 lead on the Americans after four innings before two breakout innings in the fifth and sixth to overwhelm Snake River Valley, 13-3.

MOUND MENACE: La Grande’s Mitch Workinger throws a pitch during a 4-3 loss to Pendleton in the District 3 championship game. - The Observer/PAUL HARDER

That’s all that separated the La Grande 11- and 12-year-old Little League team from advancing to the state tournament in Eugene this weekend.

“The kids played a great game,” Manager Tony Boyd said. “It’s a tough way to lose a baseball game.”

ENTERPRISE — The La Grande 11- and-12-year-old Little League baseball team is one step closer to returning to the state tournament for the first time since 2002.

Thursday La Grande defeated Union County 13-1 in three and a half innings in the District 3 semifinals.

“We played really well today,” La Grande manager Tony Boyd said. “We really hit the ball. We’re excited to be in the championships against Pendleton. It’s going to be a battle. They are a solid team. They can hit the ball and pitch very well.”

HAMMER OF TROY: La Grande’s Troy Williams helped key a 8-6 win against Baker at the 11- and 12-year-old District 3 Little League tournament in Enterprise Wednesday. Williams pitched three shut-out innings. Observer file photo

La Grande finished pool play at the District 3 tournament 4-0 with the victory.

“This was a battle of two very good hitting ball clubs,”