Auburn’s Green Machine keeps rolling.
Fresh off a state championship, the city’s Little League 12U All-Stars rolled past Laramie, Wyo., 14-2, in the first round of the Northwest Regional Tournament in San Bernardino on Friday morning.
Auburn next plays the Boulder Arrowhead Little League All-Star from Billings, Mont., at 8 p.m. Sunday in pool play. Auburn will face Murrayhill Little League of Beaverton, Ore., at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The winner of the six-team tournament – featuring all-stars squads from Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Alaska – will reach the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 20-29.
Dillon O’Grady and Hudson Byorick each slammed home runs and Ikaika Nahaku drove in three runs for Auburn, which erupted for nine runs in the fifth inning to put away the game.
Auburn exploded for 13 hits to support starter Casy Manning, who picked up the win. Manning allowed just two runs on two hits and struck out three in 2 1/3 innings of work. O’Grady and Byorick mopped up in relief.
In addition, Chandler Michalek went 2-for-3 and drove in two runs for Auburn. Byorick had two RBIs. Robbie Wilson had two hits.
“This is a great experience for the kids, something that they will remember for the rest of their life,” Coach Dale Wilson said. “Just to see the expressions on their faces when they first walked on the grass of the stadium was priceless. After a very nervous start it was nice to see them settle down and start hitting the ball to back up the pitching.”
Auburn earned a trip to the regionals in Southern California after capturing the state championship with a 3-2 win over Mercer Island in Elma last weekend.
Auburn outscored its state tournament opposition, 37-4.