Skyline, Redmond Advance to Title Game

The KingCo tournament resumed Monday, with all eight playoff teams once again in action.

Winner's Bracket
Skyline 3, Issaquah 1 - The Spartans played giant killer once again on Monday, with senior Peyton Harrod one-hitting Issaquah in Skyline's 3-1 win. The victory moves the Spartans, who were 7-9 in the regular season, into Thursday night's KingCo championship game. Harrod, who missed the first half of the season with an arm injury, was masterful against the powerful Eagles lineup. He did not walk a single batter and struck out six, with the only blemish a solo home run by Issy senior Spencer Rogers. Senior Shane Yarnell was the tough luck loser, surrendering 3 unearned runs while striking out 8 in a complete game. Sean Penberthy was 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored for Skyline, who is guaranteed at worse a play-in game with the Greater St. Helen's League runner up for a trip to the State tournament.

Redmond 4, Bothell 1 - Junior right hander Zach Abbruzza picked up where he left off in the regular season, dominating another potent lineup as Redmond moved into the KingCo Championship with a 4-1 win over Bothell. Abbruzza has been tough on the mound all year long and Monday night was no exception. He allowed just a run on 3 hits while striking out 8, going the distance in the Mustang victory. He was also 3-for-4 with a double, getting help from Dylan Davis and Patrick McGrath, who each chipped in with two hits of their own. Jon Mercer doubled and Ryan Morgan tripled for the Cougars, who face elimination in a loser-out game on Tuesday.

Loser's Bracket
Inglemoor 7, Woodinville 6 - In the first of two dramatic loser-out games on Monday, the Vikings prevailed with a 7-6 win over Woodinville. The game was a back-and-forth affair with Inglemoor's run in the bottom of the sixth proving to be the difference. Emmett Maki was 3-for-3 with 3 RBI and also picked up the win in relief for the Viks. Jake Dammrose finished his high school career going 3-for-4 with a triple. Woodinville's season comes to an end with the loss, while Inglemoor will take on Bothell Tuesday at 4:00 pm in another loser out game, this time at Woodinville HS.

Lake Washington 5, Newport 4 (8 inn.) - Junior Wesley Russell's controversial home run in the top of the eighth inning kept the Kangs' season alive, as they snuck past Newport, 5-4. The home run was hit high down the left-field line and the delayed call could have gone either way. However, the umpires ruled that the ball hooked around the foul pole, giving LW the lead which they held in the bottom of the eighth. Fellow junior Bob Cruikshank was the winning pitcher, going 7 innings and allowing 5 hits and 4 runs (2 earned), adding 5 strikeouts. Joey Gale took the loss for Newport, despite striking out four Kangs in just two innings of work. LW lives another day, and will take on Issaquah in the nightcap of a loser-out doubleheader at Woodinville HS on Tuesday.

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Remaining Tournament Schedule (all games at Woodinville HS):

Tuesday, 5/11
Game #9: Bothell vs. Inglemoor, 4:00 pm (loser out)
Game #10: Lake Washington vs. Issaquah, 7:00 pm (loser out)

Thursday, 5/13
Game #11: Game #9 winner vs. Game #10 winner, 4:00 pm
(winner plays @ GSHL #1 on Saturday, 5/15; loser out)

KingCo Championship: Skyline vs. Redmond, 7:00 pm
(winner KingCo #1 to State, loser plays vs. GSHL #2 on Saturday, 5/15)