The Andy Valley East Age 10-and-under all-stars, representing the towns of Mechanic Falls, Poland, Minot, Hebron and Oxford, recently won the District 2 Cal Ripken recreational baseball championship and advanced to the state tournament.

Known as the Squishy Grapes due to their vivid purple uniforms, the team won four games in a row over the weekend of June 28-29 at the district playoff in Norway. Andy Valley East out-slugged Andy Valley West, Sebago Long Lake and Sacopee Valley before winning the championship game over Gorham.

State double-elimination tournament play took place at Little Fenway Park in Oakland.

Messalonskee, the host team, downed the Grapes in the opener, 11-5. Andy Valley East rebounded for a 14-1 rout of Eastport in the consolation bracket before falling 6-3 to Winthrop.

Players and coaches enjoyed the experience. “This was truly an honor to work with these guys,” said manager Tom Kuklinski. “It is very special and rewarding to see children from five towns come together and develop friendships that will hopefully last a lifetime.”