With its offense in full gear, the Central Whidbey 8-10 softball team steamed into the District 11 championship series with a 23-7 win over North Whidbey Wednesday, June 28, in Anacortes.
Central Whidbey now faces Sedro-Woolley for the district title and a berth into the state tournament. Central Whidbey will need to defeat Sedro-Woolley twice to take the crown because Sedro-Woolley topped Central Whidbey earlier in the tournament.
The two teams meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 29, in Anacortes. A second game, if necessary, will be at 6 p.m. Friday.
Central Whidbey 23, North Whidbey 7
Both teams scored in bunches early, then Allison Nastali came in relief for Central Whidbey and tossed a pair of shutout innings to slow the North Whidbey attack.
Central Whidbey scored five runs in the first inning and nine in the second. North Whidbey plated a run in the first and erupted for six in the second to narrow the deficit to 14-7.
The Central Whidbey offense kept rolling from that point, but Nastali and her defense cooled the North Whidbey bats.
North Whidbey had its own defensive highlights, turning in a pair of double plays. In the third inning, third baseman Keli Aranguri-Plummer gobbled up a ground ball, tagged third for a force out and tossed to second for another.
An inning later, second baseman Leilah Edwards scooped up a grounder, raced to first for the force and then fired home to cut down another runner.
Taylor Auld, Chloe Marzocca, Mimi Forde and Nastali all singled for Central Whidbey; and Mia Farris, Taylor Brotemarkle, Nastali and Marzocca all scored three times.
Paisley Place singled for North Whidbey, and Edwards scored two runs.
Central Whidbey’s Brionna Blouin listens to coach Fred Farris after reaching first base. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)
Central Whidbey catcher Teagen Calkins tags out Caidence Meadors on a close play at the plate. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)
Central Whidbey’s Madison McMillan gets plunked on the leg by a pitch. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)
Chloe Marzocca gets a good lead at third base for Central Whidbey. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)
Allison Nastali scores a run for Central Whidbey. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)
Ava Shoosmith fires a throw in from the outfield as North Whidbey guns down a runner at the plate. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)
North Whidbey third baseman Keli Aranguri-Plummer tosses a throw across the diamond. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)
Caidence Meadors prepares to tag a Central Whidbey runner trying to score. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)
Reese Wasinger commands the circle for North Whidbey. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)
