Anacortes’ strong finish overcame North Whidbey’s strong start, and Anacortes defeated the Oak Harbor team 7-6 in a loser-out game of the 10/11 district tournament Wednesday, July 8, in Sedro-Woolley.

Anacortes used two singles, a walk, error and passed ball to score two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to claim the win.

North Whidbey burst out of the gate with four runs in the first inning when it sent 10 batters to the plate and finished with the bases loaded.

Jackson Biggs started the big inning by reaching first on catcher’s interference, and Cody Duchnowski bunted for a base hit. Shawn Day plated both with a double and then scored on Tyler Zenger’s base hit. Zenger would eventually be forced out at the plate on a fielder’s choice, but Brady Towsley, who walked, worked his way around the bases and scored the fourth run.

North Whidbey scored single runs in the second and third innings to go up 6-0.

In the second, Day singled and scored on Towsley’s triple.

Ethan Abbott walked, stole second and scored on Bigg’s single in the third.

From that point, the North Whidbey offense went silent, producing only three base runners over the final three innings.

Duchnowski blanked Anacortes over the the first three innings, allowing no hits and striking out four, before Anacortes broke through for five runs in the fourth inning. He finished with six strikeouts before being relieved by Joe Winnenberg with two outs in the fourth. Biggs pitched in the sixth inning.

North Whidbey’s defense was shaky in its opening round loss Monday but “stepped it up” Wednesday, according to coach Kevin Rhew.

“I want to thank the players for giving it their max effort and leaving it all on the field,” Rhew said. “They played their hearts out, and I’m sorry to them for not being able to lead them to a win.”

Rhew was assisted by Brad Gisvold and Danny Abbott, and Bill Young helped a numerous practices.