Over the last three years, the Issaquah baseball program has played more games at Safeco Field than any other high school team in the state. And after Saturday’s High School Baseball Classic, there’s no doubt — the Eagles are comfortable on the big stage.
“It’s awesome, said junior Spencer Rogers, standing outside what is normally the Seattle Mariner’s home dugout. “It’s a great experience, there’s nothing like it.”
Issaquah defeated non-league Ingraham 8-0 over the weekend, improving its Safeco Field record to 4-2 over the last three years. Three of those wins came in state tournament competition, resulting in a class 3A championship in 2007 and third-place finish in 2008.
Saturday’s win was an all-around dominant performance from the Eagles, who had every varsity player take the field.
“We made the commitment to each one of these kids that they’re all going to play, so they all got three innings except for the relief pitchers, and they all got an inning apiece,” head coach Rob Reese said.
Issaquah’s dominance started on the mound where six pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts and allowed just two hits.
“Everyone was just glad to be out here, it was just a good experience,” said starter Austin O’Neil, who had three strikeouts in two innings of work. Relievers Matt Houser, Tyler Allott, Kevin Baker, Ethan Kalin and Miles Perkins allowed zero hits, and each had at least one strikeout. Perkins, who had pitched all season, came in to fan the final batter.
“He hasn’t pitched at all, but he’s been begging to,” Reese said. “I told him if we got two outs and nobody on he could pitch.”
Issaquah’s bats were also alive. The Eagles were led by Perkins who went 2-for-2 at the plate with an RBI double in the first and an RBI single in the second. Brennan Miller was 2-for-3 with an RBI double and Rogers went 1-for-3 with an RBI double. The University of Washington commit just missed hitting a grand slam home run in the third, drilling a ball to the warning track, just shy of the 385 marker in right field.
“I hit it pretty good, but I got a little bit under it,” Rogers said.
Perhaps more important than another win at Safeco, the victory over the Rams marked a third straight win as the playoffs approach.
“I think everyone’s realizing how much they love the game and they’re starting to turn everything around,” O’Neil said. “I think we’re getting a little hot right before the playoffs, so we should be able to make a run.”
While six appearances at Safeco in three years is great, there’s no question Issaquah would like to add on to the tally before 2009 is done. The 4A state championships will take place at Safeco May 29-30.
“I think we’re playing better and we’re starting to turn the corners,” Reese said. “It’s whether we have enough time, you know?”
Issaquah, which travels to Eastlake at 3:45 p.m., today, April 27, moved to 6-6 in league and 8-7 overall. The Eagles are scheduled to host league leader Skyline on Wednesday at 3:45 p.m. and host Newport at 3:45 p.m., Friday. The final regular season game is scheduled for 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 5 at Hartman Park in Redmond.
