The Hazen and Lindbergh baseball teams couldn’t have played much closer this season. When they met April 18, Lindbergh scored six runs in the final two innings to squeeze out a 7-6 win. When they met again May 1, Hazen scored twice in the seventh to earn a 9-8 win.

Now, after all that, they play again. This time the stakes are higher as the winner moves on the district tournament in search of a berth to state. The loser goes home.

Hazen and Lindbergh will play Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Heritage Park in Sumner.

How did the teams get here?

Hazen 6, Bonney Lake 5

Hazen topped Bonney Lake 6-5 May 8 with a late grand slam by Justin Jacobs.

The Highlanders (12-6) trailed through the first five innings of the sub-district game until Jacobs hit his grand slam to give them the lead.

Anthony Pina went 34 with a double, a run and an RBI in the game. Bo Worgan pitched a complete game, striking out ten batters.

Lindbergh 7, Sumner 6

Patience allowed Lindbergh to build a lead against Sumner May 9, clutch pitching allowed the team to win. The Eagles beat Sumner 7-6 in a sub-district, loser-out game.

The Eagles (11-6) drew seven walks in the first four innings and built a 4-0 lead.

Sumner battled back, getting six runs against Eagle starter Kyel Swannack. But Lindbergh’s Greg Gasperetti pitched the final 1.1 innings for the save.

Swannack earned the win and briefly looked unhittable. He was perfect through the first two innings. He ended the game allowing 11 hits and striking out four.

Blake Gray went 2-2 with three runs, an RBI and a double. Gray also stole home in the fourth inning. Nikko Kis-Young collected two RBIs. Bakari Davis scored two runs.