The quest for a state title continues for three local Little League teams.

Warm Springs Nation’s 10-and-under softball squad and Bend North’s 10U and 12U baseball teams all won District 5 championships earlier this month and have qualified for their respective state tourneys.

“It’s a big accomplishment for these girls,” says Virgil Windyboy, manager of the Warm Springs Nation team. “A lot of these girls, it’s just their first or second year of playing.”

Warm Springs Nation starts state tourney play Saturday at Leslie Middle School in Salem. Windyboy’s squad plays Grants Pass at noon before taking on Southwest Portland at 3 p.m.

“We started our own (Little League) about five years ago,” Windyboy says. “This is the first team from Warm Springs Nation to win a district title and go to state.”

Central Oregon’s district champion baseball teams have a week still to prepare before beginning state tournament play next weekend. The Bend North 10U team, which lost its first game at the district tourney in Hermiston before reeling off seven consecutive wins to qualify for state, will play for a state title in its own backyard. Oregon’s 10U tourney will be held July 19-25 at Bend’s Sky View Middle School.

“We’ve got a good group of 10-year-olds,” says Steve Mora, Bend North’s 10U manager. “They’re hard-working and want to play baseball. … (Hosting state) should be good for these kids. We’re hoping it’s an advantage for us and that we’ll get some friends and some locals out supporting us.”

Bend North’s 12U team also opens state tournament play on July 19, at Alpenrose Dairy in southwest Portland. Bend North, managed by Dan Ruhl, will open against an opponent yet to be determined.

—Reporter: 541-383-0305; beastes@

bendbulletin.com.