The Laurel Minor League all-star baseball team fell to Millsboro, 17-9, in the opening of the Delaware District III championship game. The team responded with five straight wins, including a 5-3 victory over Lewes last Tuesday, to force a second championship game. Laurel won the title with a 13-0 win over Lewes on Wednesday in Roxana, outscoring opponents, 88-17, following their loss.

“It’s been a long time coming for these boys, a lot of hard work, a lot of nights,” said Laurel manager Chris Moore. “These boys can hit with anybody. They hit the baseball hard. This tournament, every kid had a big moment.”

In the top of the first inning, Laurel’s Anderson Callaway hit a leadoff single before being caught trying to steal second. Jordan Matthews had a two-out single and scored on a triple by Tyler Hassler for a 1-0 lead. Callaway allowed a walk and a single before stranding the runners in the bottom of the inning.

Keegan Calloway led off the top of the second with a walk, Landon Givens was hit by a pitch with two away, Owen Stewart singled to load the bases and Callaway hit a two-run single (3-0). Ace Moore added a two-run single for a 5-0 Laurel lead.

In the bottom of the second, Lewes put runners on first and second with one out before Hassler caught a pop out and fielded a ground ball and threw to first for the final out.

Laurel’s Malkye Louis singled, and Calloway walked, but a fly out stranded the runners in the third. Lewes threatened in the bottom of the third when Conor Cleary walked, Alex Rebarchik reached on a fielder’s choice, and Jack Eanes was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Callaway fielded a comebacker and threw to first for the third out, leaving three ducks on the pond.

Laurel added a run in the fourth as Ethan West led off with a single and scored on a single by Callaway and a Lewes error for a 6-0 Laurel advantage. In the top of the fifth inning, Hassler singled but was forced out at second and Louis reached on the fielder’s choice and scored on a double by Connor Moore (7-0).

Lewes’ Sam Stull singled and Carter Coveleski was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the inning. Louis made a shoestring catch in center field and doubled up the runner at second and a groundout ended the threat.

Laurel put the game out of reach with six runs in the sixth inning. Owen Leibforth (single) scored on a bases loaded walk to Callaway, Givens (walk) came home on a single by Ace Moore, Stewart (bunt single) was plated by a bases loaded walk to Matthews, Callaway and Moore crossed the plate following a single by Louis and a Lewes error, and Matthews scored the final run on a single by Connor Moore to up Laurel’s lead to 13-0. Callaway shut the door in the final half inning to secure the shutout.

“He’s been on fire this whole tournament,” Moore said of Callaway.

Laurel will represent Delaware District III in the state tournament, which takes place next week at the Smyrna-Clayton Little League. District III will face District II in the opener next Tuesday.

“If we hit like this we can play with anybody,” said Moore.