Juanita Falls to Mercer Island in Eight Innings, 10-7

The Juanita High Rebels led almost the entire game, but gave up one run in the seventh that tied it and three in the eighth to fall 10-7 to Mercer Island Wednesday night at Peter Kirk Park in Kirkland.

“A moral victory can only go so far,” said Juanita coach Sherman Leach. “This would have been big.”

The Islanders tied it on a single by Alex Himstead, and Matt Orehek added a two-run single in the eighth. Mercer Island finished with 11 hits and Juanita with 10.

The Rebels’ Conner Jackson had two hits in four at bats with an RBI, and scored a run and stole a base. Mitch Gebe went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Jyran McNairy went 2-for-4 and stole a base. Derek Kaufman hit a two-run double.

“We have a couple guys stroking the ball real well. Mitch Gebe has been swinging the bat well,” said Leach. “We're getting some runs. We seem to score early and then relax.”

Juanita, now 3-9 on the season and 3-5 in the KingCo 3A/2A Conference, next play at Sammamish on Friday at 4:30.