Though the North Whidbey 9/10 Little League baseball team was eliminated 13-0 by Hazel Dell of Vancouver Monday, July 14, the island squad still placed among top 10 in the state tournament in Richland.

Hazel Dell turned a rash of North Whidbey errors into an 8-run second inning to take control of the game.

A bright spot for North Whidbey was the play of Jackson Biggs, who went 2-for-2 and made some “great defensive stops at shortstop,” according to coach Mark Tanner.

It wasn’t just North Whidbey errors that carried Hazel Dell to the win, according to Tanner.  “(Hazel Dell) pitched well and played lights out on defense,” he said.

Tanner also had praise for his club, which was one of the youngest in the tournament with a 9-year-old-heavy lineup.

“This team’s character and heart really shone in the their tournament run,” Tanner said. “The experience these players have gained bodes well for the future of Oak Harbor all-star baseball.”

The team prevailed in the district tournament, winning all four games by one run.

“Our boys…found ways to win with great defense and timely hitting,” Tanner said.

Tanner was assisted by Casey Richardson, Mike Benjamin and Justin Ronning.

The club included Stuart Bassett, Biggs, Hunter Black, Brock Boyer, Colton Byars, Sean Day, Cody Duchnowski, Ben Green, Colton Richardson, Jordan Ronning, Marshal Rhew, Dylan Stubbs and Joe Winnenberg.