AUBURN - An encore performance richly deserving of the highest accolades was showcased by the Federal Way National Little League All Star team on Sunday, July 8.

Brian Moe's 3-run monster home run over the 320-foot left field fence in the first inning with two out triggered unbeaten National to an 8-1 domination of gritty Steel Lake at Brannan Park for a repeat District 10 Junior Baseball championship.

Moe's moment transpired after a Cole Meyers fly ball dropped in for a double, an infield error and a strikeout occurred.

"I hit a lot of doubles (during the season) and I just got hold of that one and hit it hard," he recalled. "It's cool to send the Nationals back to state."

In addition to the homer, Moe doubled as part of a 3-for-4 hitting performance.

Like a relentlessly rising river, FW National kept flooding the banks with runs after the 3-0 lead while SL fought to stay on solid ground. Steel Lake tickled the scoreboard for its lone run in the third inning. Kamiro Ponce followed an infield error with a single. Following a double play, Kevin Oyer got on base and drew an overthrow which allowed a run to score.

Trailing 5-1 in the bottom of the fourth, Steel Lake loaded the bases with one out, but the next two batters were caught looking at third strikes.

National starting pitcher Zach Jacobs struck out five batters - four in a row at one stretch - in a 92-pitch six-inning effort, allowing SL's only three hits. Closer Jeffrey Apigo mopped up by striking out three out of four batters faced in the seventh.

"I'm really excited about going to state," observed Meyers, who batted 3-for-4 including two doubles and hit in one run. "We had a great time here and I hope we can continue this later. We're pitching pretty well and hitting the ball good, too. We'll be playing on the same field (on July 15) at state."

Federal Way National defeated Soundview (8-3), Kent (15-6) and Steel Lake (7-5) to gain the title round. Steel Lake blasted Bonney Lake-Sumner 20-12 before the loss to National. SL topped Kent to gain the championship round.

Attributes for FWN's success with only Jeffrey Apigo as a holdover from last season were evident to manager Mike Barnhart.

"I've got so much pitching (more) pitching than I had last year," exclaimed Barnhart. "It's crazy. With the new pitch counting this year, it helps to have a lot of guys that can throw the ball and staying in the winners bracket all the way didn't hurt anything. It's a pretty big feat to go back to back. They played as a team instead of as individuals."

Federal Way National's 2007 District 10 Junior Little League Baseball (age 13-14) players are Peter Guthrie, Cole Meyers, Zach Jacobs, Mac Gridley, Brian Moe, Jeffrey Apigo, Richard Apigo, Ali Davenport, Brett Johnson, A.J. Brandt, Adam Bolf, Carson Meyers abd Mitchell Bley.

Manager Barnhart's coaching staff includes Paul Guthrie and Henry Apigo. League president is Bill Foulkes.