The Oak Harbor Babe Ruth baseball team challenges Burlington in a winner-to-state, loser-out game at 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 27, at Burlington’s Rotary Fields.

Oak Harbor ran its winning streak to eight games by winning the opening two games in the district tournament. However, the Wildcats fell 14-0 to undefeated Whatcom in the championship match Thursday, June 26.

Burlington, which lost to Oak Harbor 7-2 in the opening round of the tournament, worked its way through the losers’ bracket to get another shot at the Wildcats and the second state berth.

The district tournament was originally scheduled to start Wednesday, June 25, but was moved up a day at the last moment.

No matter, Oak Harbor knocked off host Burlington 7-2 Tuesday.

“Our defense kept us in it,” coach Shawn Trisler said.

The defensive effort was led by the pitching of Chris Trisler and Hunter Smith.

Chris Trisler “overwhelmed them,” coach Trisler said, tossing the first five innings and recording six strikeouts.

Smith wrapped it up in relief.

The two pitchers were also the hitting stars. Smith finished with two hits, one a triple. Trisler also had two hits, including a double.

Joey Lippo added a pair of singles.

One of the keys offensively, coach Trisler said, was the productive bats of the bottom of the order. Kamren Mebane, James Besaw and Thomas Anderson all ripped singles in a late Oak Harbor rally that secured the win.

Oak Harbor knocked off Friday Harbor 7-2 Wednesday.

Smith doubled in the first inning and scored, then the offense “went to sleep,” coach Trisler said.

Trailing 2-1 heading into the top of the seventh, Oak Harbor tied the game when the Friday Harbor pitcher lost his control. A walk and three straight hit batters pushed across the tying run. Singles by Gabe Eck, Corey Roberts and Will Danielson kept the rally alive.