Players and coaches with their championship banner. In front from left, William Sundby, Blake Sundby, Jeter Vander Galien, Rylan Pasanen, Cooper Clark, Mason Paulson, Jaxon Eades. In back, manager Dan Bauer, Griffin Rady, Eli Bauer, Nick Schneider, Easton Sieker, coach Josh Clark, Easton Ostrom, coach Jeremy Vander Galien.

Bob Mainhardt photos
The Rhinelander U10 little league all-stars played in Wausau this past week and won their first two games. The wins put them in the championship bracket, with only Wausau American standing between them and sectionals in Superior.

The team had won three straight in Appleton to advance to the district finals in Wausau.

Thursday saw a rematch of a game against Wausau American, a team they defeated on Tuesday in Wausau. Wausau then defeated Antigo Wednesday, in the losers bracket, coming from behind to face the Hodags again.

Tuesday Jaxson Eades pitched a strong five-and-a-third innings and picked up the win. Thursday Eli Bauer started for the Hodags and pitched four-and-a-third innings before getting to his pitch count limit, leaving with a 2-1 lead.

The Hodags scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth to go up 8-1 going to the sixth – and hopefully last inning.

Rhinelander pitching, however, was not spot on as a number of walks were issued and the Wausau American team scored four runs before the last out was recorded on a fly-out to center. The game ended with the Hodags on top, 8-5.