North Whidbey Little League’s 9-11 softball team out-slugged Central Whidbey 33-22 in the championship game of the District 11 tournament Wednesday, June 20, in Anacortes.

North Whidbey Dragons won the best-of-three series 2-1 and earned a berth in the state tournament, which begins Saturday, July 14, in Burien.

“So unbelievably proud of the effort and dedication from the players and coaches on both teams,” North Whidbey coach Liz Davis said. “During the three games I watched over 160 combined runs scored and tons of amazing plays from both sides.

“The Dragons showed up to the championship game with spirit and spunk that could not be out-shined. I am honored to be a part of this experience and witness all these young players flourish.”

Central Whidbey set up the winner-to-state third game with a 43-23 win Tuesday after North Whidbey won the opening game 24-20.

North Whidbey 33, Central Whidbey 23 (4 innings)

North Whidbey overcame a five-run deficit with a 16-run third inning to take control of the contest.

The big blows in the big inning came from Loto Tupu, who blasted a home run and a triple.

Lilly Norman, Romona Ryder and Adyson Morales each had two singles in the inning.

For the game, Norman and Morales had five hits and Ryder four.

Tupu added a single to her two extra-base hits, and Katie Cantrell smacked a double and two singles.

Ella Bishop and Leilah Edwards each had two hits; and Payton Ludemann and Maya Shoosmith each singled.

Madison McMillan thumped two home runs for Central Whidbey, one coming in the first inning when the Coupeville club jumped to a 6-1 lead.

Both teams scored 11 runs in the second inning.

McMillan also had a single in the contest.

Jada Heaton recorded a double and two singles, and Katie Marti collected three base hits.

Also getting singles for Central Whidbey were Teagan Calkins, Mayleen Weatherford, Taylor Auld, Mia Farris, Taylor Brotemarkle and Chloe Marzocca.

Central Whidbey 43, North Whidbey 23 (5 innings)

Central Whidbey led by only three, 24-21, going into the fifth inning and then exploded for 19 runs.

Marzocca started the fifth-inning uprising with a single and then later walloped a home run. Farris had two hits and Calkins, Auld, McMillan and Mimi Forde singled during the rally.

North Whidbey raced to a 14-6 lead after two innings, then Central Whidbey tallied 13 runs in the third to get back in the game.

McMillan and Farris each finished the game with three hits, and Auld added two.

Calkins, Marti, Marzocca and Ford singled.

North Whidbey was led on offense by Edwards, Tupu and Ryder; each had two singles.

Lilly Norman, Bishop, Cantrell, Shoosmith and Morales each added base hits.