The Kirkland host team for the Junior Softball World Series survived its second game of pool play Monday, defeating the Philippines representing the Asia-Pacific region, 7-4.

Kirkland pitcher Tori Bivens threw a complete game and struck out nine but also came up big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Anastasia Kotsakis was also 2-for-4 with two RBI during the contest.

The game looked like it would be a complete pitchers’ duel with the teams going scoreless through the four innings, as the squads combined for just four hits.

Kirkland took control during the top of the fifth inning with three runs. A fielder’s choice resulted in the first run of the game for the host team and a Bivens base hit to left field to score Olivia Rudolph from third.

A Kotsakis single scored Abby Anthis on a close play at home. The throw from the outfielder struck Anthis on the elbow just before she crossed the plate.

But just as fast as Kirkland took the lead, the Asia-Pacific team tied it at 3-3 during the bottom of the inning.

The scoring continued as Kirkland took the lead back on a Lindsay Allen fielder’s choice RBI. But once again the pendulum again swung back to Asia-Pacific, as the Philippines tied the game for a third time on an RBI triple.

The seventh inning would prove definitive for Kirkland. A Bivens double scoring Anthis gave the host team a 5-4 lead. Kotsakis’ singled to centerfield scoring Bivens and then Taylor Sheldon’s fielder choice put the seventh and final run on the board for Kirkland.

The win gives the host team a 2-0 record after they also defeated Canada on Sunday, 8-4.

Kirkland will play the Central U.S. team from Indiana at 5 p.m. Tuesday to finish out pool play.

Kirkland’s Tori Bivens collects a base hit and drive in a run during the Junior Softball World Series on Monday.