Federal Way National’s 12-year-olds are headed to the state tournament after an impressive run through a talented, daunting District 10 bracket.

The team knocked off Steel Lake in the championship round, 10-1, and reclaimed supremacy in the age group — first earned through a district championship as 9/10’s — that was relinquished to Auburn’s all-stars last summer.

Through two-and-a-half innings of play, Steel Lake and National were knotted up at one apiece thanks to RBI knocks from Willy Hernandez of National and Anthony Myers of Steel Lake. It looked like spectators were in for another classic between the cross-town rivals, but National had other plans.

The balance shifted in National’s favor when the team took its turn at bat in the bottom of the third inning. Luke Dalrymple, who had three hits on the day, got things going with an RBI double. That was followed by a single from James Turner that drove in two, and the single was followed by a two-run blast that flew off the bat of Aydan Vega.

Vega and Turner combined to pitch the six innings of one-run ball, and both tallied four strikeouts. Dalrymple and Vega added onto the lead — as well as their RBI totals — by plating T.J. Hurn and Tyler Harries in the fourth. For good measure, Ryan Marino and Cole Jackson added back-to-back singles in the fifth, while Aiden Mandia and Hurn brought them home to round out National’s 10 runs of production.

More baseball is still to come for the championship squad: They now turn their attention to the state tournament at Hidden Valley Park in Bellevue. They will play District 3’s champion at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 23.

The team is managed by Phil Dalrymple and assisted by Derek Marino, Jeff Haag and John Turner. They players are Ben Adams, Nate Cook, Luke Dalrymple, Elijah Graham, Tyler Harries, Willy Hernandez, T.J. Hurn, Cole Jackson, Aidan Mandia, Ryan Marino, Elijah Morales, James Turner and Aydan Vega.

In order for this second crack at National in the championship, Steel Lake had to beat Auburn — a team who beat them twice last year in 10/11’s. Though they couldn’t force an “if necessary” game against National, who dealt them both losses as 12’s, Steel Lake managed a bit of vengeance against Auburn, winning 10-8.

Auburn started out up 1-0, but Steel Lake erupted for eight runs in the second inning and never looked back. Nine straight batters reached for Steel Lake in the second, and nine different batters recorded a hit — including a solo home run from Cody Gaerttner — in the elimination game.

Steel Lake was managed by Jason Cretti and assisted by Mike Myers and Joey Herwick. Its players were Derek Butler, Austin Crawford, Chase Cretti, Drew DeLaCruz, Cody Gaerttner, Jaden Herwick, Daniel Le, Isi Mojica, Anthony Myers, Angelo Sanchez, Mason Sleeth and Trevi Vo.