ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Eastdale Little League team is preparing for a major milestone after winning the New Mexico Majors State Championship, earning the opportunity to represent the state in the Southwest Regional of the Little League World Series tournament.
“It’s a dream come true for these kids,” said head coach Mike McDuffie. “This is something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.”
Eastdale’s road to the regional tournament was paved with dominant performances. The team went undefeated in district play with a 4-0 record and finished 4-1 in the state tournament. The 12-player roster, all boys 12 years old or younger, has shown strength on both sides of the ball.
“We’re scoring between nine and ten runs per game on average,” McDuffie explained. “And defensively, we’ve been really solid—most of our games have been shutouts or we’ve only given up one or two runs.”
Impressively, every member of the team is able to take the mound if needed, though defense remains their strongest asset, according to players and coaches alike.
As Eastdale heads into the highly competitive Southwest Regional in Waco, Texas, they’ll face champion teams from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and both East and West Texas. While the competition will be fierce, Eastdale feels ready.
“Many of us play travel ball year-round,” said pitcher and centerfielder Louie Patterson. “We’ve faced teams from out of state before, so we know what to expect—but you can’t underestimate teams like Texas or Louisiana. They’re always tough.”
Eastdale opens tournament play Thursday at 9 a.m. against Texas West. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
If Eastdale wins the regional tournament, the team will advance to the iconic Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, this August—a goal they’ve been working toward all season.
