In the first ever Island Classic Minor Softball Little League Tournament, the North Whidbey Bat Busters, behind a no-hitter by Reese Wasinger, edged a league foe, the Blue Dragons, 3-1 to claim the title Wednesday, June 6, at Volunteer Park.
The Bat Busters, coached by Brian Wasinger, proved they were the best by defeating all four of the other teams in the tournament.
The Blue Dragons reached the championship game by winning three straight in the losers’ bracket after dropping their first game.
Mia Reagan led off the bottom of the first inning with a single then moved around the bases on three stolen bases to score the Bat Busters’ first run.
Maya Shoosmith made it 2-0 in the second inning when she walked, stole second, went to third on an error and scored on a passed ball.
The Blue Dragon cut the lead to 2-1 with a run in the top of the fourth. Kierra Thayer walked, stole second and took third and home on wild pitches.
The Bat Busters got the run back in their half of the inning when Piper Lanning walked, stole second and third and scored on Emma Franklin’s ground out.
Lanning, Reese Wasinger and Rylee Wasinger each walked twice to lead the Bat Busters’ offense. Regan’s single was the game’s only base hit.
Reese Wasinger struck out 15 and walked three in her complete-game win.
Keli Aranguri-Plummer and Katie Cantrell combined to pitch a one-hitter with six strikeouts for the Blue Dragon.
Bat Buster first base coach James Regan congratulates Rylee Wasinger for her walk. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)
Katie Cantrell tosses a pitch for the Blue Dragons. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)
Bat Buster second baseman Piper Lanning flips the ball to first baseman Loto Tupu for an out. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)
Blue Dragon first baseman Jaydin Lopez reaches for an out on the Bat Busters’ Mia Regan. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)
Bat Buster third baseman Emma Franklin holds on Jaylen Monreal. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)
Bat Buster Paisley Place likes the high ones. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)
Scarlett Nations slides under the tag of Blue Dragon third baseman Jaylen Monreal. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)
Above, Bat Buster catcher Maya Shoosmith tosses to Reese Wasinger covering home after a wild pitch. Below, Wasinger tags out Keli Aranguir-Plummer for the final out. (Photo by Jim Waller/Whidbey News-Times)
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