by Greg McCorkle

Two runs in the second was all west Seattle needed to overcome Issaquah’s Liberty High School.

Liberty looked like they may get on the scoreboard in the first inning with runners on first and second with no outs but they were unable to pull the trigger. In the second liberty had base runners on second and third.

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The lack of offense proved to be costly for Liberty when in the bottom of the second #17 catcher Jimmy Mai hit a leadoff single. Then centerfielder Andrew Snook got on base with another single pushing Mai to third base. Snook stole second and West Seattle threatened with one out. #12 Spenser Elder hit a sacrifice fly to right field driving in Mai and advancing Snook to third base. The next batter third baseman Jeff Freeman tipped a dribbler in front of the plate but the Liberty catcher overthrew first base and as the ball rolled into the outfield Freeman motored around to third and Snook scored a second run.

Liberty got out of the inning but the damage was done.

Liberty got on the board in the third when #21 Lorin Archibald smashed a rope into right center field driving in #7 Garrett Hughes. Hellinger got out of the inning holding on to a 2-1 lead.

In the sixth inning Liberty stood two base runners in scoring position. West Seattle didn't fare any better but still clung to a 2-1 lead into the top of the seventh.

Liberty once again threatened with a leadoff double by centerfielder Jack Brady. Then a sacrifice fly by left fielder Jalen Mano pushed Brady to third putting the tying run ninety feet away. But that was all that liberty could muster and the West Siders went home with a 2-1 victory.

Velko Vitalich the Wildcat skipper commented after the game, "We didn't execute the way I would like us to but we did enough to win and that's what counts."

The West Siders move on to Saturday's game against Timberline.

That game will be played at Bannerwood field in Bellevue at 11am.

THIS STORY WILL BE UPDATED WITH A FULL SLIDESHOW