South Whidbey lost 10-0 in four innings to Burlington in the championship game of the District 11 Major Little League baseball tournament Saturday, July 13, in Oak Harbor.
Despite the loss, coach Steve Zarifis was pleased with his team’s effort in the tournament, where South Whidbey won three of five games.
“It was awesome,” he said. “It is a huge honor to be here with these kids. Playing baseball is great; it’s great to compete against other communities and be tested.”
He added that the coaches never talk about winning and losing.
“We have three goals: be good to each other, try your best at all times and have fun,” he said. “We as parents tell the kids to keep trying, but those are just words. These kids learned to believe in themselves; they learned they can compete.”
Burlington 10, South Whidbey 0
Burlington pitcher Tyler Walker, whose father and coach Jim Walker said stands “6-1 and some change,” was dominant. The big lefthander tossed a one-hitter with nine strikeouts and no walks in four innings.
Grady Davis singled with two outs in the top of the fourth for South Whidbey’s only hit. South Whidbey’s only other base runner was Connor Bartel, who led off the game by reaching first on a wild pitch after a strikeout.
While Walker was blanking South Whidbey, the Burlington offense scored in every inning. The Tigers rapped seven hits and took advantage of six walks.
Burlington earned a berth in the state tournament, which is July 20-28 in Richland, with the win.
South Whidbey shortstop Jaden Adragna waits for the throw as umpire Jim Honold looks on. (Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)
Connor Bartel peers in as he gets ready to deliver a pitch. (Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)
Grady Davis drives the ball through the right side for South Whidbey’s only hit. (Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)
Second baseman Alexander Zarifis flips to shortstop Jaden Adragna Saturday. (Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)
Pitcher Connor Bartel fires to second for a force out. (Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)
