The host Kirkland Little League team edged the Southeast team 3-1 over seven innings Tuesday at Everest Park to boost its record to 2-0 and advance in the Junior Softball World Series.
Tori Bevins turned in a strong performance on the mound for the Kirkland girls, going all seven innings, striking out 11 and giving up just two hits and the lone run.
Kirkland is now one of three teams in the nine-team tourney with 2-0 records, along with the Latin America team from Maunabo, Puerto Rico and the West team from Anchorage, Alaska.
Kirkland resumes Pool A play on Thursday, with the series semifinals on Friday and the championship game -- to be televised by ESPN -- on Saturday.
The Kirkland girls scored a run in the second to take the lead, and the Southeast team, from Honaker, Virginia, tied it in the bottom of the fourth.
Kirkland sealed the win by scoring twice in the top of the seventh. Alex Hanger singled and then stole second, and scored on a single by Brynn Radke. Bivens, who reached first on a fielder’s choice, finished the scoring by stealing home.
Radke finished the game going 2-for-2 at the plate with an RBI. Kara Phillips went 2-for-3.
