Issaquah exploded for five runs in the top half of the sixth inning to erase a one-run deficit and make a winner out of pitcher Justin Vernia, who worked a complete game on the mound to keep his team’s season alive in the 4A KingCo baseball tournament.

Vernia got some help from his offense in the sixth, as the first four batters reached base before Blake Jones doubled home three runs with a pair of outs in the inning.

Skyline managed a pair of runs in the third inning, but were unable to solve the Issaquah senior, who scattered six hits and walked only one batter, striking out six.

Corbin Powers got the call on the mound for the division champion Spartans and worked into the sixth inning before giving way to Nate Gibson.

Ryan Guiberson and Ty Gibson knocked in runs for Issaquah to go with the backbreaker from Jones.

The Eagles advance to face the third-place finisher from Wesco, Cascade (Everett) on Monday at Woodinville in a winner-to-state, loser-out game.