LW Kangs Dump Sammamish to Grab Share of KingCo 2A/3A Baseball Title

The Lake Washington High baseball team captured a share of the KingCo 2A/3A championship Thursday night by shutting out Sammamish High 11-0, stretching the Kangs season record to 12-2.

LW finishes the regular season tied for first with Bellevue, with the teams splitting their two games this season. On a 10-game winning streak, the Kangs open the District Tournament play against Sehome Saturday (1 p.m.) at Volunteer Field in Anacortes.

"This has been, especially in the last month or so, as good as any team I've ever coached," said LW Coach Derek Bingham. "We have some real good players, but it's been more a collection of parts this year, and that makes us hard to beat."

Seniors led the way for the Kangs Thursday night, with Rob Hill striking out nine batters over five shutout innings. Nick Johnson was 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and 4 RBIs, while Stevie Semler (2-for-3, 3 RBI) and Chase Keierleber (3-for-3, 2 stolen bases) also chipped in.

The Kangs have been especially strong this year in pitching and defense, allowing only one run in the last 28 innings - that's four games. Three Kangs pitchers have earned three wins on the season, including workhorse freshman Connor Johnson (3-1), Hill (3-0) and John Lyon (3-0). Keierleber has been a standout in defense at second base, and is hitting .348. Senior catcher Semler is batting .373 with 21 RBIs.

"My expectations (for the playoffs) are high," said Bingham. "I don't know if we could be playing any better. We've encountered almost every situation and have answered the bell. Nothing is going to surprise us. They really are great kids."

To follow the team as it enters the playoffs, see the Kangs baseball Facebook page by clicking here.