With an exciting game tied 3-3 going into the top of the seventh inning a controversial call by the infield umpire at first base changed the momentum of the game in favor of West Seattle.

The Wildcat leadoff hitter blasted a long fly ball into deep left field that began to drift foul but Sealth left fielder Jake Eddy showed great speed and gloved the ball just short of the fence for the first out.

The next play was a controversial one. A seemingly easy out at first base became controversial when the infield umpire said first baseman Aiden Behar pulled his foot off the bag and the umpire called the runner safe. It appeared to everyone that the Wildcat was a full stride short of the bag when the throw was made. That immediately drew the ire of Sealth head coach Ernest Policarpio who went out to challenge the call but the umpire wouldn’t back away from the call. The next pitch was mishandled by catcher Nick Jaramillo and the runner advanced to second base. The next batter #20 Sam Helenger hits an RBI single into left field on a hit and run play driving in a run and the Wildcats have their first lead since the third inning.

AT this time Sealth starting pitcher Marley Lucas, who had been outstanding for the first six and one third innings was pulled because his pitch count went over 100 and Blaine Steele took the mound.

The next batter up #24 Tim Adams singled and the speedy Helenger arrived at third base standing up with one out. Wildcat catcher Jimmy Mai stepped up to the plate and executed a textbook sacrifice bunt up the first base line that forced pitcher Blaine Steele to make the throw to first base for the out but that allowed Helenger to score. Steele would get out of the inning but the damage was done and West Seattle held a 5-3 advantage going into the bottom of the seventh.

The Seahawks rallied in the bottom of the seventh with two outs, runners on second and third, and the go ahead run at the plate, but a simple ground ball ended what would have been a great comeback win for the Seahawks against the west side rival and division leading Wildcats.

These two teams will meet again this Friday at Hiawatha Field for a 3:30 rematch.