“Fresh off winning a district Little League girls softball title, the South Whidbey Giants had a soft landing at the state tournament in Yakima last week. The all-star team of 11- and 12-year olds did not pick up any wins at the tournament, but showed the rest of the state that South Whidbey is an up-and-coming softball hotbed. Ten local players made the trip out west, coming together after a hit-and-miss week of practice in the midst of a busy summer. Opening against a star-filled Woodinville West team, the Giants got into a slugfest in the early going. The offense, defense, and pitching squad were firing on all cylinders during the game, but Woodinville had a bit too much lumber for South Whidbey, outscoring the Giants 14-8. Woodinville went on to win the state championship later in the tournament. Team coach Jim Adsley said he was happy to see his girls have a good game against such a talented team. We made an accounting of ourselves, Adsley said. The Giants’ second game was one Adsley said he wishes the kids could get back. Pitcher Jenna Dunsmore settled in fast against a South Everett team in the loser bracket game, chalking up eight strikeouts while on the mound. But the Giants’ bats stayed silent throughout the game and the South Whidbey girls were unable to counter Everett’s final winning margin of 11-0. We should’ve won that game, Adsley said. Even though the team went two-and-out, the coach and the players left Yakima satisfied. They did really well to get to state, he said.”