A dismal second inning doomed South Whidbey Little League at the 8-10 state tournament Monday, July 9, in Mukilteo.

Greater Richland Little League scored 10 runs in the second inning on the way to defeating South Whidbey 15-4 in the loser-out game.

Regardless of the outcome, South Whidbey coach Josh Coleman deemed the tournament season a “success.”

“They committed for the entire all-star season,” he said. “It set them up well for the following year in the majors.”

Richland 15, South Whidbey 4

Richland slapped five consecutive hits in the second inning and combined them with a handful of errors to produce the 10 spot.

Richland was also tough with two outs. Its five other runs — one in the first inning, one in the fifth and three in the sixth — all came on rallies that started with two outs and no one on base.

Down 11-0, South Whidbey tallied four runs in the bottom of third inning. Alexander Zarifis got things started with a walk, and Jacob Hughes was hit by a pitch. Kowen White, Bryson Taylor and Kasen Parsell followed with singles; then, after an out, Matthew Tarantino singled in the final run.

Bad luck stymied another South Whidbey rally in the fourth.

Two balls driven to the outfield which would normally be hits were struck so hard that the fielders were able to fire to a base for a force out. South Whidbey left the bases loaded in the inning on a walk to Taylor and singles by White and Zarifis.

Parsell had the only South Whidbey hit that didn’t come in the third or fourth innings, a single in the second.

South Whidbey’s defensive highlight was recorded by Tucker Allen who snagged a hard-hit ball in left field.

Left fielder Tucker Allen and shortstop Jacob Hughes mirror each other as they get ready on defense. (Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)

Jaden Adragna takes a lead off second base. (Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)

Starting pitcher Kowen White throws a strike for South Whidbey. (Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)

South Whidbey shortstop Jacob Hughes puts on the brakes after racing to touch second base for a force out as second baseman Alexander Zarifis looks on. (Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)

Alexander Zarifis cruises into third base in the third inning. (Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)