Recovering from a tough, last inning loss to South Skagit Sunday, the North Whidbey Junior Baseball (13/14) baseball team routed South Skagit 11-1 Monday, July 2, at Fort Nugent Park.

The final game of their best-of-three series to determine the District 11 representative in the state tournament is at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, at Fort Nugent Park.

Down 1-0 after the first inning Monday, North Whidbey coach Shawn Philp said he was concerned his team would get off to another slow start. That concern was wiped away in the second when North Whidbey erupted for eight runs.

After giving up the run in the first, NWLL pitcher Cooper Stone settled in and put up zeros as he threw an economical 61 pitches in five innings. He was backed by an “error free” and “amazing” defense, according to Philp.

Damian Simpkins, Avery Aguirre and Dominic Jones highlighted the defensive play, Philp said, with diving catches in the outfield.

Overall, it was a stellar performance by his club, Philp said. “I have never seen these kids play so well.”