L.C. 11'S LOOK TO RETURN TO REGIONALS

For the second consecutive year, Lower Columbia will field an 11-year-old Cal Ripken All-Star team.

Last year's squad, coached by Melton Lucore, placed third at state and earned a berth to regionals, where they went 1-and-2. Lucore returns to helm this year's team, which due to changes in age cutoff returns two players from last year, including Lucore's son Kyle and Lewis & Clark teammate Cody Foxx. Lucore piloted the league champion Lewis & Clark team during the regular season and will be assisted by Faaleo Poyer and Dave Spurbeck.

After a competitive game against the 12-year-olds, the 11's will see their first tournament action this Saturday at Hoquiam.

Pool play begins at 10:00 a.m. Monday at Jump Field, next door to Hoquiam's historic Olympic Stadium. Lower Columbia will take on Central Longview, then return to the field later to play Castle Rock-Toutle Lake at 2:00 p.m. Single elimination play begins Sunday at 9 or 11:00 a.m. with the semifinals at 1:00 and championship at 3:00 p.m.

Independence Day weekend, the Lower Columbia 11's will play in a tournament at Western Longview. The combined North Oregon 11/12B state tournament will be in Naselle July 7-9.

Here is the full roster of the Lower Columbia Cal Ripken 11-yr-old All-stars:

Kyle Lucore (LEWIS & CLARK)
Cody Foxx (L&C)
Andrew Bergeson (L&C)
Keelen Cuifici (L&C)
Josh Biel (WARRENTON)
Nick Freitas (WARRENTON)
Ross Kukula (LONG BEACH MARINERS)
Austin Wirkkala (MARINERS)
Nathan Spurbeck (NASELLE)
Chandler "Bob" Chapman (NASELLE)
Jeremy Poyer (P&L JOHNSON)
Kyle Kelly (KNAPPA)
Will Samp (alternate-CLATSOP DISTRIBUTING)
COACHES: Melton Lucore, Faaleo Poyer, Dave Spurbeck