ARLINGTON — Hunter Whitney’s first-inning grand slam gave the Marysville American Majors All-Star team a lead it would never surrender.

Marysville escaped elimination by defeating the Mukilteo American All-Stars 14-7 in the District 1 All-Star tournament Thursday, July 7, played at Quake Field in Arlington.

Marysville advanced to the second round of the loser-out bracket and will play Mukilteo North, beginning at 9 a.m., Saturday, July 9, at Quake Field. After winning its first game of the tournament, Mukilteo exits with a 1-2 overall record.

Whitney’s four-run blast, which easily cleared the left-field fence, came just in time. Mukilteo’s Riley Thornburg started the game by hitting a three-run homer to give Mukilteo a quick lead.

“We earned one more game,” Marysville coach Southard said. “We have to stay focused and loose if we want to advance.”

Zach Yarbrough and Tanner Valin scored on back-to-back, bases-loaded walks following Whitney’s grand slam to build Marysville’s lead to 6-3.

“We didn’t panic after the Mukilteo’s home run,” Southard said. “But Whitney’s hit definitely helped our confidence.”

Marysville added to its lead in the second inning when Tristen Southard hit a one-run single to extend Marysville’s lead to 7-3.

But for the second time Thornburg helped produce another run. He hit a third-inning home run and narrowed Mukilteo’s deficit to three runs. Mukilteo drew closer in the fourth inning when it scored three runs to make it a one-run Marysville lead.

“Everyone told me to walk Thornburg,” Mark Southard said. “But I said no. This is baseball and if he hits a third home run then kudos to him.”

Another RBI single for Tristen Southard, a two-run double by Connor Bjornsen, and a wild pitch that scored Ethan Dearing from third base helped lock up Marysville’s victory.

Relief pitcher Alex Belmont struck out Mukilteo’s Jack McManis in the fifth inning, stranding two runners in scoring position, and completed the game by striking out Ben Hunter for the final out.