Cole Simpson, Jonah Sibley, Colby Sidenbender and Eli Fruk. In the middle are Cade Best, A.J. Shafer, Jacob Frye, Brandon Rogers, Cade Zavitz and Ben Douglass. In back are coaches Ryan Best, Thom Sibley and Chris Simpson. (Daily Star photo/Provided)

From staff reports

The Howard Township 9-year-old All-Stars captured the Cal Ripken Baseball state championship this past weekend.

Howard defeated the Huron Valley Patriots Sunday night to claim the title.

The All-Stars will now compete in the Ohio Valley Regional in Louisville, Ky.

Little League districts
The Michigan District 15 baseball tournament is under way at various sites throughout southwest Michigan.

Niles is hosting a pair of games tonight in the Junior Baseball Division (13-14).

In the first game at 6 p.m. at F.O.P. Park, Centreville will take on Schoolcraft with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line.

Host Niles will face Constantine in the second game at 8:15 p.m.

The winner of tonight’s contests advance to Saturday’s semifinals at 2 p.m.

On Friday night Niles will also host a pair of consolation contests games at 6 and 8:15 p.m. and the consolation semifinals on Saturday at 11 a.m.

The winner of the consolation semifinal game will move on to the consolation title game on Monday at 6 p.m. at F.O.P. Park.

The championship game in Niles is slated for Tuesday at 6 p.m.

The winner advances to the sectional tournament against the District 2 winner for a doubleheader at South Portage Little League on July 24.

The state tournament is being held in Saginaw July 29-30.

Niles advanced to tonight’s quarterfinal contest with a 9-1 win over Vicksburg in the opening round.

The Niles 9-10 All-Stars begin play tonight in Schoolcraft as they face Paw Paw at 6.
The winner will face Mattawan Gold on Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Niles 10-11 All-Stars are in the championship game at Vicksburg on Friday after defeating both Coldwater and Schoolcraft.

Niles knocked off Coldwater on Monday night 15-0 and backed that up with a 10-3 victory over Schoolcraft on Tuesday.

Niles will face either Coldwater or Schoolcraft in the finals. Those two met Wednesday night in the consolation game.

The Niles 11-12 All-Stars were eliminated after going 1-2 in the tourney. Niles defeated Vicksburg 19-7 for its only victory.