Dugan, Gomes shine as Eagles 19U set up tourney decider

By barstoolfanatics on July 10, 2020 • ( Leave a comment )

File photo – Nick Dugan

Landon Gomes hit a pair of home runs and Nick Dugan dominated again on the mound, as the Humboldt Eagles 19Us beat Siskiyou 13-1 at the Northern California Country Classic on Friday night to set up a championship showdown against Reno.

With the win, the Eagles improved to 3-0 in the round robin tournament (21-4 overall) and can essentially clinch the championship with a win over Reno, which also is 3-0, on Saturday morning.

The Eagles will close out tournament play against Red Bluff later on Saturday in a game they will be expected to win.

“We’re going to put our best nine on the field at 10 a.m. and we’re going to try and win a championship,” head coach Matt Tomlin said.

Earlier on Friday, the Eagles took care of business against Fairfield, winning 6-4.

Gomes was instrumental in Friday night’s win, as the Eagles out-hit Siskiyou 16-5 and pulled away with six runs in the top of the seventh.

Gomes followed a two-run homer to straightaway center with a grand slam to left field and finished the game 3-for-3 with six RBIs and two runs.

File photo – Landon Gomes

He also had a hit and an RBI in the earlier win and now has six hits and 10 RBIs in three tournament games.

“Landon Gomes was dynamic,” Tomlin said. “He was a monster.”

Dugan was just as impressive on the mound.

The St. Bernard’s ace pitched six innings, allowing just one run on four hits and a walk, while striking out 10.

“He was really dialed in tonight with his location,” Tomlin said. “He really set the tone.”

A total of 12 different Eagles players had at least one hit in the win, with Caleb Ruiz continuing his impressive tournament with two more hits, including a double.

Branson Gans also finished with a pair of hits and an RBI, while Drew Nylander had a triple, the Eagles’ second on the day.

Merek Sears, who will get the start on the mound against Reno, added a double and an RBI, while Parker Rodgers drove in two runs and CJ Van Meter one.

Corbin Eichin pitched one inning in relief, allowing one hit and striking out three.