Resilient Eagles stay alive with triumph in loser-out game

Issaquah’s Jack Githens’ three-RBI double in the top of fourth was crucial.

For the second time during the 4A Wes-King baseball tournament, the Issaquah Eagles faced a do-or-die, loser-out playoff game on the diamond.

Issaquah ace hurler Brady Liddle rose to the occasion yet again with the season on the line.

Liddle tossed a complete-game gem on the hill, surrendering just four hits and two earned runs while propelling Issaquah to a 5-2 victory against the Jackson Timberwolves in a loser-out playoff game on May 8 at Everett Memorial Stadium.

Issaquah junior Jack Githens, who connected on a three-RBI double down the left field line in the top of the fourth inning to extend the Eagles’ lead to 5-1, was thrilled the ball was in Liddle’s hands once again in a pressure-packed situation.

“Brady has pitched great this season. He had a great game today. You love to see your starting pitcher just go out there and shove (dominate). That is exactly what he did today,” Githens said of Liddle.

Githens’ clutch hit in the top of the fourth was a testament to his patience. Githens, who is a left-handed hitter, just took advantage of what Jackson relief pitcher Evan Canfield gave him on the at-bat.

“Our coaches always preach middle to away. The ball was outside and I just hit it where he pitched it. I was trying to help our team out and get a big hit there to get some more runs on the board,” Githens said.

Head coach Rob Reese, who is the Eagles’ third base coach, got a front row seat to the play of the game.

“That was a huge hit. They were playing him down the line too but he snuck it by him (Jackson third baseman). It made the score go from 2-1 to 5-1. It gave us some breathing room,” Reese said.

Reese said Liddle put together an awesome performance on the hill.

“He is money. We knew with our scouting report he was the guy we needed to go with,” Reese said of the decision to start Liddle.

The Eagles will face Monroe in a winner-to-state playoff game at 4 p.m. on May 10 at Everett Memorial Stadium.