Central Whidbey edged in district semifinals / 10-12 baseball

The Central Whidbey Major Little League baseball team finished third in the District 11 tournament after losing 3-2 in the semifinals to South Whidbey Friday, July 12, at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor.

Central Whidbey went 2-2 in the tournament. While both losses came to South Whidbey; the two games were nothing alike.

South Whidbey cruised to a 6-0 win over Central Whidbey in the tournament opener Monday. Five pitchers combined to pitch a one-hitter and strike out 16, including the first 11 batters.

Central Whidbey bounced back to give South Whidbey all it could handle Friday.

In fact, Central Whidbey’s Jack Porter led off the game with a base hit, and after an out, Chase Anderson singled, surpassing Monday’s entire offensive output in three batters. However, the pair were left stranded.

John Rachal singled in the second inning and Jordan Bradford walked. Again, Central Whidbey was unable to push across a run, and that proved to be fatal in the one-run loss.

Central Whidbey did take advantage of its opportunity in the third, scoring two runs without a hit. Aiden O’Neill was hit by a pitch, and Anderson and Johnny Porter each reached on errors. The second allowed O’Neill to score. A sacrifice bunt by Camden Glover scored Anderson.

That would be it for the Central Whidbey offense as the final 12 hitters went down in order.

Central Whidbey starter Glover blanked South Whidbey on one hit through four innings. In the fifth, South Whidbey rallied for all three of its runs with two outs. A single, hit batter and back-to-back doubles produced the three spot and finished Glover’s day. Glover registered 11 strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Anderson completed the game on the mound, adding four more strikeouts.

Central Whidbey, the only club in the “all-star” tournament that drew its players from just one team, completed the season with a 12-8 record.

South Whidbey went on to play Burlington for the district title, losing 10-0 Saturday.

Chase Anderson follows through on a pitch. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)

Chase Anderson follows through on a pitch. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)

Catcher Johnny Porter calls a pitch in Friday’s game.(Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)

Catcher Johnny Porter calls a pitch in Friday’s game. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)