A Comeback for the Ages
The Gastineau Channel Little League Junior All-Stars from Juneau, Alaska, clinched the 2026 Alaska Junior League State Baseball Championship on Saturday, edging Ketchikan 14-10 in a high-scoring affair that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The game began with Ketchikan jumping ahead, but Juneau’s bats woke up in the middle innings, stringing together hits that turned the tide. By the time the final outs were recorded, the Juneau side had erased the deficit and built a lead that proved decisive.
Pitcher Colin Daniels delivered key innings, shutting down Ketchikan’s offense when it mattered most, while Gavin Kohan’s sharp fielding turned several potential rallies into outs. Their performances were complemented by contributions from teammates such as Logan Fanning, Max Hayes, and Rawley Cox, who added both runs and solid defense.
Juneau manager Zach Kohan praised the squad’s resilience, noting that “the team showed great poise after falling behind” and that “adjustments at the plate and in the field made all the difference.” He also highlighted the leadership of players like Elias Lockhart, Maximus Birch, and Takeshi Schramm, who helped keep the locker room focused.
The championship earns the All-Stars a place in the regional championships scheduled for July 22-30 in Bend, Oregon, where they will meet tougher competition from across the Pacific Northwest. Manager Zach Kohan and the players are already planning how to bring the same teamwork and grit to the next stage.