A couple of timely hits and strong pitching helped the North Whidbey Little League junior baseball team to a 4-2 win over the Bellevue Thunder at the state tournament at Shorewood High School Saturday, July 15.

Conor Lacy ripped a two-run triple, Justin Vasileff drove in a run with another triple and Dylan Dearing scored on a passed ball to highlight the offense in the tournament opener for North Whidbey.

Dylan Roberts threw five innings of two-hit ball to lead the pitching effort. Tyler Zenger and Dearing each pitched an inning, and North Whidbey finished with a four-hitter.

Next up is North Kitsap in the quarter finals at 4 p.m. Monday, July 17.

North Kitsap has won twice so far at state, defeating South Hill 10-0 and Fort Vancouver 13-3.