The weather was hot but the North Whidbey Little League 9/10 baseball team’s offense was not in a 12-4 loss to traditional power Mill Creek in the state tournament Saturday, July 12.

North Whidbey coach Mark Tanner said the heat, which reached 108 degrees, zapped his players and played as much a role in outcome as the opponent.

The Oak Harbor club should get a bit of a break from the sun in the second round with an 8 p.m. start time Monday, July 14, against Hazel Dell (Vancouver). Hazel Dell lost its opening game 6-5 to Bainbridge Island.

North Whidbey’s offense, which left five runners on in the  first two innings, struggled but its defense shined.

Defensive gems were turned in by left fielder Dylan Stubbs, center fielder Joe Winnenberg and third baseman Cody Duchnowski, Tanner said.

Mill Creek scored three times in the first inning, then North Whidbey got one back in the third.

The winners, who finished with 14 hits, slugged three extra-base hits in a five-run fourth to pull away.

Oak Harbor struck back with three runs in the bottom of the inning to cut the gap to 8-4 but could get no closer.

Jackson Biggs led the Wildcat offense with two hits, including a double and two RBI.

Biggs, Colton Byars, Duchnowski and Winnenberg shared the pitching duties for North Whidbey.