The Salmon Creek Little League all-stars stayed alive, and North Bothell moved within one win of the championship on Wednesday at the Little League Baseball Washington State Tournament.
Salmon Creek beat Pasco National 11-5 in a loser-out game in the tournament for boys ages 11-12, which continues through Saturday at the Fort Vancouver Little League fields.
The remaining local team, Salmon Creek will face Kent at 5:30 p.m. today. Salmon Creek must win four more games without losing to win the state title.
Karter Graves hit a home run and a double for a Salmon Creek team that scored 11 runs from seven hits with the help of four errors from Pasco. A five-run third inning broke open the game for the District 6 champions.
Liam Farrell hit a pair of doubles for Salmon Creek, which is now 3-1 at the state tournament. Josh Thompson had a pair of base hits, and Alex McGarry also singled.
Casey Morin pitched three innings for the win, and four pitchers covered the last three innings.
Kent also survived a loser-out game, blanking Alderwood Little League of Lynnwood 2-0.
In the winner’s bracket semifinal, North Bothell scored five runs in the top of the sixth inning to rally past Eastlake for a 6-3 victory. North Bothell now gets two chances to win the state title. Eastlake will play on Friday against the winner of Thursday’s Salmon Creek vs. Kent contest.
North Bothell will play on Saturday against Friday’s winner with a chance to wrap up the title. Should North Bothell lose on Saturday, a second championship game will be played on Sunday.
The winner of this tournament will represent Washington at the Little League Baseball Pacific Northwest Regional Tournament at San Barnardino, Calif., where it will compete for a spot in the Little League world Series.
The Fort Vancouver Little League fields are located on the south side of Mill Plain across from Hudson’s Bay High School. The games are free.
