First Week of 4A League Play in the Books

Early leaders emerged on Thursday, with Bothell and Redmond both winning key divisional games to stay unbeaten.

4A Crest Division
Redmond 5, Skyline 3 - Senior Zach Abbruzza continued his tear through the first week of KingCo play, homering twice and driving in three runs as Redmond improved to 2-0 in KingCo with a hard-fought 5-3 win over Skyline. Abbruzza, who was 4-for-4 with 7 RBI in Tuesday's win, picked up right where he left off. A two-run blast in the first inning matched the Spartans total in the top of the frame and junior Patrick McGrath tripled home two runs in the third to put the Mustangs ahead for good. Abbruzza added his second home run of the night, providing an insurance run in the fifth inning and all but locking up KingCo 4A Player of the Week honors. Skyline was led once again by the duo of senior Nate Litka (2-for-4, double, 2 RBI) and junior Matt Sinatro (1-for-3, double). 'Stang starter T.J. Whidby recovered from a rough first inning to pick up the win, allowing just the two runs in four innings of work. Senior Michael Conforto struck out the side in the seventh to earn the save, and also had 2 of the Mustang 6 hits on the night. Redmond will take on Newport in a huge divisional clash on Monday.

Issaquah 3, Eastlake 2 - Junior right hander Andrew Kemmerer chipped in on the mound and at the plate for the Eagles, as they notched their first win of the season 3-2 over Eastlake. Kemmerer scattered three hits and three walks over 6 1/3 innings before handing the ball to junior Cole Westover, who slammed the door on the Wolves. Kemmerer also doubled and drove in one of the Eagle runs. Andrew Stull was the tough luck loser, allowing 3 runs in 5 innings. John Armour doubled and drove in both Eastlake runs, keeping his team in the game until the end.

4A Crown Division
Roosevelt 9, Garfield 8 - Junior Zach Naon's grand slam sparked a 6-run fourth inning as the Roughriders evened their KingCo record at 1-1 with a 9-8 win over Garfield. Roosevelt trailed 5-2 headed into the decisive frame where they took a lead they would not relinquish. The Bulldogs fought back to within a run with 2 runs in the top of the seventh, but Spencer Maniccia got the final two outs to save the 'Riders win. Eli Mathieu was 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI to help lead Roosevelt to victory. Zach Ward starred in defeat, finishing the day 3-for-4 with a double and 2 RBI.

Inglemoor 9, Ballard 2 - Senior Connor Savage and junior Perry Pipkin each had three hits in Inglemoor's 16-hit attack as they responded from an opening day conference loss to top the Beavers, 9-2. Senior Emmett Maki was the winning pitcher, tossing 5 shutout innings allowing just 2 hits before handing the ball to junior Lucas Wimmer for the final two frames. Seniors Peter Meuisi and Adam Mosebar each homered, with Mosebar driving in four runs on the afternoon. Ballard's Oliver Guarino provided half of his team's offense with a solo home run in the sixth.

Bothell 5, Woodinville 2 - Sam Lee and Brian McAfee each drove in two runs in a 5-run fifth inning as the Cougars took an early lead in the Crown Division with a 5-2 victory over the rival Falcons. Lee's 2 RBI came on a home run, helping the Cougars in the only inning they would score. Senior southpaw Kevin McShane was the winning pitcher, with Henry Baillargeon surviving a late Woodinville rally for the save. The Falcons loaded the bases with just one out in the final frame, but could not overcome the three-run deficit. Junior T.C. Florentine's two-run home run provided the only Woodinville offense on the day, as they dropped to 1-1 in KingCo play.

Non-League Scores
Mercer Island 10, Franklin 0