MOUNT VERNON — Lake Stevens could muster just two hits all night against Mount Vernon starting pitcher Ryan Fredrickson, but sometimes that’s all it takes.
The Vikings broke a scoreless tie in the top of the sixth inning and held on for a 1-0 win to advance to the next round of the Disrtict 4A Tournament.
Lake Stevens’ starting pitcher Skyler Swords also went the distance, pitching seven innings and allowing six hits while striking out five. He had no walks, but hit two batters.
“Both pitchers were very competetive and pounded the strike zone,” Mount vernon head coach Tony Wolden said. “We had opportunites to score several times but just couldn’t get a clutch hit.”
Lake Stevens was able to manufacture the only run in the game after an error by Mount Vernon allowed Chase Ridder to reach first base to begin the fifth inning. Ridder then stole second before Justin Brown sacrificed him to third on a bunt. After a line-out to shortstop, Swords came to the plate and hit a dribbler to third that allowed Ridder to score.
“He (Fredrickson) did a great job of keeping us off-balance all night,” Lake Stevens head coach Rodger Anderson said.
Fredrickson had two strikeouts.
But Swords was the hero for the night, pitching a gem and coming through with the game’s only RBI.
“He was very efficient,” Anderson said. “He only threw 86 pitches and we played great defense behind him. He did what he needed to do.”
The Vikings play undefeated Snohomish at 7 p.m. on Thursday in the district championship game at Everett Memorial Stadium.
“It’s our fourth straight year in the tournament,” Anderson said. “So we should be used to (the pressure). We’re excited and looking forward to it.”
At Mount Vernon H.S.
Lake Stevens0000010—121
Mount Vernon0000000—063
Skyler Swords and Andrew Bustard. Ryan Fredrickson and Gabe Beuckman. WP—Swords. LP—Fredrickson. 2B—Tristan Brock (M). Records—Lake Stevens 14-8 overall, Mount Vernon 12-9.
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