Winning a key contest, the South Whidbey High School softball team defeated Sultan 14-7 Wednesday, May 1, in Langley.

The Falcons (2-8, 5-11) jumped by the Turks (1-7, 1-10) into fourth place in the North Sound Conference standings with the win. The top four teams advance directly to the eight-team, double-elimination district tournament. The fifth-place team must win a loser-out, play-in game to earn a berth.

The win also gave South Whidbey the tie-breaker over Sultan, taking the season series 2-1.

Arianna Briggs, Kayla Knauer and Makenna Morley all had two hits to lead the offense against Sultan Wednesday.

The Falcons were helped by seven walks and five hit batters.

South Whidbey had two outstanding defensive plays, according to coach Brad Jaeger.

Morley made a nice catch in the outfield; and on a ground ball to the outfield, Jordyn Kelley made a strong throw to cutoff man Myah Majestic, who fired home to catcher Ari Marshall to cut down a runner at the plate.

The Falcons play their final home game at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, with Coupeville (6-3, 8-7) and then finish the regular season at Cedar Park Christian (6-3, 11-4) at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 9.

The district tournament begins Thursday, May 16, in Sedro-Woolley.