The Kirkland 9/10 All-Star softball team is a win away from the Little League state championship game after a 2-0 defeat of Mukilteo on Sunday, July 17, at Stan Hedwall Field in Chehalis.

The Kirkland Softball 9/10 All-Stars outlasted Mukilteo 2-0 in their second straight pitchers’ duel of the tournament to advance to the semi-finals in the Little League Washington State 9/10 Softball State Tournament.

Christina Minor got the start, pitching three scoreless innings before handing off to Kya Aldrich.

Kirkland scored in the bottom of the third inning as Mary Madaline Roe scored on a wild pitch after advancing to second base on an error and third base on fielder’s choice.

Aldrich stepped in to defending the 1-0 lead, and Mukilteo went with a smallball approach to draw a bunt and infield hit. Aldrich settled in and struck out the next three batters to keep Mukilteo scoreless.

Aldrich led off the bottom of the fourth with a single, and stole her way to third base. Isabelle Phillips slipped a grounder between third and second allowing Aldrich to score, but not before being hit in the back by the throw to home plate. 

Mukilteo’s bunting approach put one runner on base in the top of the fifth, but the Kirkland defense held over the next two innings.

It was the second consecutive shutout in the tournament for Kirkland, which won 4-0 on a perfect game from Aldrich to open the state slate.

Kirkland is scheduled to play Camas in the semifinals at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in Chehalis. The championship game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.