The South Whidbey boys 9- and 10-year-old All Stars brought home the bacon Sunday, winning the district title.

South Whidbey narrowly defeated Burlington 9-8 at the bottom of the 6th inning to advance to the state tournament, which begins in Oak Harbor next Saturday. They will compete against some of the 10 other district winners from around the state. The first game is against Mill Creek District 1 winners on July 20 at 11 a.m.

“It was very exciting baseball,” said coach Tom Fallon. “I can’t single out any player. There was a different hero every day. They all really pitched in at different times.”

In the first three games of the six-game tournament, South Whidbey walked away winners with ease, defeating Central Whidbey 5-0.

The score did not reflect the close game, however. It was 0-0 until the 4th inning.

“There was good pitching and fielding from both teams,” Fallon said. “Riley Newman pitched for South Whidbey. In inning five our hitting exploded and we didn’t have to take our last bat.”

The score was much closer against their opponent Thursday night, when they they narrowly defeated North Whidbey 5-4. TJ Fallon pitched solidly for the first four innings and Andrew Groves closed to pull out the win.

Fallon said he is undecided about who will pitch in the state tournament opening game Saturday.

“It depends on how practice goes this week. But they are really pumped,” he said.

This year’s team is made up of all new players except for Dakota Hanna and Alex Nettleton.

Team members credit some of their success to their good luck charm, a slimy frog from a bubble gum machine named “Booger.”

“Each player touches him before each game,” Fallon said.