Redmond West Little League’s Juniors Red Sox won the District 9 regular season championship with a two-out, come-from-behind 9-8 win against league-leading Issaquah in the bottom half of the seventh inning on June 9 at Hartman Park.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Redmond’s Brendan McCormick dropped a single into right field and Nick Miller was hit by an inside pitch to put runners on first and second. Joel Hargin hit into a fielder’s choice, but was able to steal second on the next pitch, putting the tying run in scoring position. David Gibons then tied the game up with a long single into the gap in left-center field, followed by Tyler Pippin’s triple, a one-hopper to the fence and over the center fielder’s head. Coming from first, Gibons scored the winning run just as the ball was coming in from the relay.

Hargin opened the game on the mound for the Red Sox and was relieved by Zach Bothel, who put in five strong innings to get the win.

Going into the final, the Red Sox won three of four pool games and defeated the Redmond Rangers, 13-9, in the semifinals.

“They developed as a ‘team’ slowly as the year went on. It happened naturally and cannot be forced. It is a fact that everyone always contributes to a win and to a loss. It is about a team success and failure, not individual success or failure. Players need to forgive others and, more importantly, themselves,” said coach Bob Jones.

“I had a hard time concentrating last night (June 9) and woke up early this morning (June 10) with visions of runners flying around the bases and rocket shots over the head of the center fielder. It was really a remarkable win. Probably one of my two best wins in a championship game.”