THE DALLES, ORE. — It’s Wilson County, N.C. or bust for the North Kitsap Babe Ruth 14s All Star baseball team.

For only the second time in the history of the organization, North Kitsap is headed for the Babe Ruth World Series after sealing the Northwest Regional Title with two wins Tuesday.

“It’s unbelievable,” said 14s coach Mike Jones. “It’s something that we’ve dreamed about for our kids and something they’ve dreamed about forever. But we’re actually going.”

The team won 12 games in a row en route to a World Series berth, winning six games to earn the state title while at home at Lindley Smith field and six more to take the Northwest Regional title.

North Kitsap had anticipated playing last year’s 13s regional champions Kennewick in the finals Tuesday but Southern Oregon’s Phoenix Talent team knocked off the favorites to meet North Kitsap in the finale.

NK snuck into the finals after beating Bozeman, Mont. in the closest game for the local squad of the tournament — a 7-5 win. Chris Jones pitched all seven innings in the effort and Jordan Tucker played the hero, hitting a triple in the seventh to put North ahead for good.

By the time the final game rolled around, the Phoenix Talent team — which had exhausted its pitching staff to slip past Kennewick — was little trouble for the North Kitsap sluggers. NK won the game 12-2 with Jamaal Smith on the mound and Taylor Zehrung and James Smith combining for 5 RBIs.

“Jamaal was phenomenal,” Jones said. “And the bats came through, stellar as usual.”

The team will travel to Wilson County, N.C. on Aug. 19 and begins play at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 22 versus East North Carolina State. In the meantime, the team plans to practice the basics and “stay sharp,” coach Jones said.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun and a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he commented. “Something we’ll remember forever.”