The Senior All-Star girls fastpitch team from North Whidbey Little League represented District 11 at the state tournament held in Vancouver last week. The team battled to a fourth place finish.

The 11-member team, made up of 13 to 16 year olds, was defeated only by Lacamas from District 4 and Battle Ground from District 6, the teams that would ultimately place first and second, respectively.

The girls began play last Wednesday, falling 10-1 to Lacamas under the strength of 10 strikeouts from the opposing team’s two pitchers. NWLL pitchers Kayla Carrothers and Emily Meagher together accounted for eight strikeouts and only five walks.

The lone run for North Whidbey was recorded by Carrothers in the seventh inning. A highlight of the game was the strong all-around performance of Aria Araceley in the lead-off batting position, and her defensive prowess at third base. Araceley accounted for three outs, including a challenging pop-up in foul territory.

Regrouping, the team faced North Bothel from District 8 on Thursday night. North Whidbey eliminated Bothel from the tournament with a 11-5 performance. The teams contended with temperatures in the upper-90s.

Carrothers again started on the mound for North Whidbey, going four innings with Meagher closing the final three. Although the pitching duo combined for only five strike-outs, the rest of the team supported them with solid defense. Kaylee Meders played a role in five outs from the shortstop position and one as catcher.

Behind the plate, Nicole Mowbray caught an outstanding game and had assists in three outs before moving to third base to get a break from the heat. At third, Mowbray assisted with another out with first baseman Hannah Bristow. Three runs were scored in this game by Carrothers, with Araceley and Meagher each scoring two, and Cori Baily, Bristow, Meders and Kimber Abraham each scoring one.

Friday saw the NWLL team facing off against Battle Ground with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees just prior to first pitch. Shaking off the heat, the girls continued the momentum they had built the previous night through five innings, holding a 5-2 lead. They also held 15 batters to no runs in four innings.

Three walks and some fielding errors in the top of the sixth inning opened the door for Battle Ground, the team tallying five runs.

Carrothers and Meagher again carried the pitching load, notching seven strikeouts while surrendering three hits and four walks.

Nichelle Trumbull was the highlight player of the game for the NWLL team, making stunning catches in left field and continuing the solid play in the second base position. Araceley, Bristow, Meders, Mowbray, and Meagher all scored runs in the effort..

The NWLL All-Stars laid claim to fourth place in the state little league competition by outlasting District 10’s representative from Fife-Milton and eliminating North Bothel.