CAMAS — Two years removed from their first trip to the World Series, which the then-14-year-olds attended in awe of its magnitude, the North Kitsap 16-year-old Babe Ruth All-Stars are headed back.

And if the team’s undefeated performance at the Pacific Northwest Regional tournament in Camas last weekend is any indication, NK should take Babe Ruth baseball’s highest stage with ultimate poise.

“I think the first time they went to the World Series they had the bright lights and everything,” then team manager, now NK 16s coach Mike Jones said. “We’re past that now, and I expect some good things from this tournament coming up.”

On the strength of five straight victories in pool play at regionals, followed by a double dose of destruction in the semi-finals and finals, North Kitsap secured its plane tickets for the World Series, which begin Aug. 11 in Monticello, Ark.

In 2004, the then-14-year-olds took the World Series diamond as the second-ever team from North Kitsap to do so.

They graced the top-10 but fell victim to the overwhelming atmosphere of competing against the world, Jones said.

Then in 2005, as 15-year-olds, NK fell victim to a sour loss of a tie-breaker at regionals which struck out their chances for a back-to-back run.

“We were gonna leave no doubt this time,” Jones said of the regional tourney.

Mission accomplished.

NK was guaranteed a No. 1 spot in the regional semi-finals after beating the host team — Ryder Baseball Club — by a count of 12-4 July 28. After falling behind by four runs in the infancy of the game, North picked up the pace and rolled off 12 unanswered runs during the remainder to flatten Ryder.

“Everyone in the lineup contributed offensively and defensively,” said NK manager Brent Stenman.

That all-inclusive strategy continued into North’s final game of pool play in which they battled cross-state rival Elma to extra innings Saturday. Holding off a team fighting to make its final statement in the tournament, NK pulled through with an 8-7 win, completing pool play undefeated.

“I heard a comment from the tournament director saying that this team is ‘the definition of team play,’” coach Jones said, noting that the NK squad has been on the diamond together for years. “They raised their level of play for this tournament … everything was just phenomenal.”

Though the team embodied fantastic play across the lineup and collectively raised their level of play to solidify their spot in the World Series, centerfielder James Smith embodied the highlight reel.

“James stood out,” Jones said, noting the phenom’s three home runs on the weekend. “They had a hill in the back of center field, so you had to go climb that hill to get those balls, (James) made some unbelievable catches out there.”

Despite the field’s disposition, Smith took advantage of the opportunity to shine and was named overall MVP of the tournament for his efforts. While behind the plate, NK catcher Jamaal Smith was named defensive MVP for the tournament.

But an even bigger accomplishment and much more prestigious honor, NK rolled through semi-finals competition with a smooth, 8-3 victory over Calgary, Alberta Sunday, earning the right to face off with Ryder in the regional finals that night.

“Between state and regionals we had a few practices where we challenged them to raise their level of play and they responded,” Jones noted. “The way they finished the game, I don’t see any let down in them.”

With a 10-4 offensive shellacking in the championship game, North Kitsap advanced to represent North Washington state and the Pacific Northwest in the Babe Ruth World Series.