BURLINGTON — Michael Gallagher used his arm and his bat to help the Burlington Sox junior American Legion A baseball team clinch a state tournament berth Friday with a win over Lake Stevens.
Gallagher hit a pair of triples and pitched a complete-game, 6-2 victory in American Legion A Division I District 2 Tournament.
“Michael was amazing today,” Burlington coach Herb Lehman said. “He had great control and was throwing hard. His curveball was working. I’ve never seen him as intense as he was today.”
Gallagher pitched seven innings, gave up four hits and struck out four. He walked five.
Gallagher was 2-for-3, Will Garcia was 2-for-4 with three RBI and Nick Edson was 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
Nick Brunner added a triple and an RBI and Matt Kinkel hit a double.
Garcia was also part of an important play, helping to turn a double play in the sixth to help quiet a Lake Stevens threat.
“That was huge. The top of their lineup is really good, and for us to keep them from getting to the top of the lineup is big,” Lehman said.
The Sox have clinched a state berth, but will play through the rest of the tournament for a chance at the district title.
Two teams from the tournament will advance to the state tournament beginning Aug. 2 in Spokane.
The Sox will play Sedro-Woolley at 4 p.m. today at Burlington-Edison High School.
Lake Stevens designated hitter Kyle Kaintz was 1-for-3 with two RBI.
Pitcher Brandon Fiske was 2-for-3 with a double for the Vikings.
Sedro-Woolley 11
Arlington 7
Catcher Brett Wood had a pair of singles and starting pitcher Connor Crosby also had a pair of singles to help the Cubs elbow past Arlington to the next round of the tournament.
Ferndale 12
Bellingham 4
Ferndale outfielder Jacob Barrera had a single and a triple and Brandon Berkompas singled twice to help Ferndale stay alive in the tournament.
• Trevor Pyle can be reached at 360-416-2156 or by e-mail at
