The North Whidbey’s 11 and 12-year-old Little League baseball all-stars opened the District 11 tournament in impressive fashion Thursday evening knocking off Central Whidbey 9-5.

North Whidbey took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning thanks to a two-run a double by Danny Wolfe and a single by Brandon Bailey.

Central Whidbey came back with a run in the bottom of the first inning and tied the score with two more in the bottom of the second.

In the top of the third, North Whidbey showed off its speed with a pair of infield hits, double steal and a pair of passed balls to go ahead 5-3.

Starting pitcher Brent Mertens looked sharp on the mound for North Whidbey holding Central Whidbey batters in check and his defense made some good plays behind him.

Left-hander Clay Doughty took over on the mound for North Whidbey in late in the game to nail the victory down.

North Whidbey plays the winner of the Anacortes South Whibey game at 1 p.m. today, Saturday, July 11, at Windjammer Park.