Timely hitting, a solid defense and a string of strong pitching performances carried Central Whidbey to a 6-2 opening-round win over Anacortes in the 11/12 district baseball tournament in Langley Saturday, July 11.

Central Whidbey will challenge North Whidbey, which had a bye, at noon Sunday, July 12, in its next game.

The Anacortes game was scoreless until the third inning when Central Whidbey scored a pair of runs after two walks and a two-run single by Daniel Olsen.

The play of the game came in the bottom of the third when Anacortes tried to wrestle back the momentum. Anacortes scored one run on a bunt and error and then had runners at second and third with one out. Center fielder Luke Vrable hauled in a fly ball for the second out and then fired a throw home to nail the runner trying to tag and score from third.

After the stellar defensive play, Vrable added the game’s offensive highlight. Central Whidbey scored one run on two walks and two errors in the top of the fourth, then Vrable slashed a three-run double down the third-base line to give Central Whidbey a 6-1 lead.

Anacortes added a run in the bottom of the sixth, but “our defense shut them down,” coach Steve Hilborn said.

Olson, Cody Roberts, Vrable and Caleb Meyer shared the pitching duties.

“Player of the game goes to Luke Vrable for the three-run double and the catch and put out at the plate,” Hilborn said.