Action was intense all week at the Minors softball district tourney. (John Fisken photo)
If it’s the final game of the season, might as well make it the craziest one, too.
The Central Whidbey Little League All-Star Minors softball squad bowed out of the District 11 tourney Thursday, falling to Sedro-Woolley in the championship round.
The 23-12 loss eliminated CW two wins shy of advancing to state.
But the score doesn’t tell half the story.
In a wild one, Sedro went up 11-0, gave back 10 runs in one half of an inning, then responded with 12 of their own the next time at bat, partially thanks to a missed call by the ump.
The tone of the game was set early, as Central missed a chance to take the early lead.
Trailing just 1-0 heading into the bottom of the first, the Whidbey squad got its first two runners, Mia Farris and Taylor Brotemarkle, on base thanks to walks.
Things took a tragic turn however, as speed demon Farris severely twisted her ankle leading off of third, forcing coach/dad Fred Farris to be cautious on sending his runners.
“We were set up for a lead,” he said. “Under normal circumstances both would have stolen home, considering all the passed balls that followed.
“Mia really sets the tone for us with her aggressive base running. She was hobbled throughout the game,” Farris added. “Would have been nice to have those two runs and the lead after one.”
Sedro tacked on three in the second, then broke the game open with five runs in the top of the third and two more in the fourth, making things look like a blowout.
Until the game took a wild swerve.
Leading off the bottom of the fourth, Madison McMillan ripped a single, Central’s first hit of the game, and it seemed to buckle Sedro’s resolve.
Or at least its ability to find the strike zone.
10 of the next 11 Whidbey hitters walked, and by the time Sedro had finally stopped the bleeding with an inning-ending strikeout, a romp had become a one-run thriller.
But then the game veered right back.
Four runs in the top of the fifth stretched the lead back to 15-10, but Central got the third out and was still close.
Except, the ump whiffed on the call which would have been the third out, and, given new life in the inning, Sedro tacked on eight more runs.
This time, a tired Central squad — many of its players pulled double duty, attending Girl Scout camp at Fort Casey, then heading to Anacortes three straight nights for playoff games — had no answer.
Even in defeat, Fred Farris had much to be grateful about.
“Tough loss, but Sedro is a good team. Our girls showed a lot of heart!,” he said. “Allison Nastali pitched great and Madison McMillan had a great game, both at the plate and on defense.
“It was a great experience for this young team,” Farris added. “I think seeing Sedro pose with the banner and celebrate, makes them want to be there next year.”
Central’s playoff roster was comprised of Taylor Auld, Brionna Blouin, Brotemarkle, Teagan Calkins, Farris, Mimi Forde, Jada Heaton, Katie Marti, Chloe Marzocca, McMillan, Nastali, Molly Nattress and Mayleen Weatherford.
Coupeville Sports 