Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – St. Bernard’s Bode Joyner in action on Friday.

St. Bernard’s bounced back from a disappointing season opener against Arcata on Wednesday to sweep both ends of a doubleheader at home to Little 4 rival Ferndale on Friday afternoon.

After opening with a 6-0 win in game one, the Crusaders had to come from behind in game two for an 8-5 victory, with senior Bode Joyner the catalyst in the rally.

With his team trailing 5-3, Joyner took over on the mound and pitched three scoreless innings for the win, while also hitting a bases-loaded double.

“It was a good comeback victory for us,” St. Bernard’s head coach Matt Tomlin said. “We had a bunch of young guys really step up for us today.”

In game one, Drew Vizenor and Joyner each had a double, as the home team broke open a tight game with three runs in the fifth.

Pitchers Nick Dugan and Cayden Lee combined for a two-hitter, with Dugan dominant as expected for 5.2 innings, before being relieved to keep his pitch count down early in the season.

The Wildcats didn’t back down from the challenge of facing the top 2022 prospect in all of California.

“I liked how aggressive we were against Dugan,” head coach Justin Andersen said. Obviously he is what we know he is, but I felt our hitters were up for the challenge. I was very pleased with their approach at the plate.”

Paden Prior and Garrett Christiansen each had a hit for the Wildcats in game one.

St. Bernard’s Drew Vizenor makes an out at second base during Friday’s second game.

Christiansen, who has impressed early in the season, also pitched three strong innings in game two, while adding a base hit and two RBIs at the plate.

Jenner Christiansen also had a good game, finishing 1-for-3 with two runs and two stolen bases.

“Tip of the cap to both Christiansens,” Tomlin said of the Ferndale teammates, who are not related. “They’re two really good ball players and I thought they both played well.”

Carl Nunes also had a good day for the Cats, pitching three strong innings in game one and driving in a pair of runs in game two.

“It was a competitive game,” Anderson said of game two. “It came down to who made the more mistakes, but again I like the way we competed all game.”

For St. Bernard’s, Vizenor had a base hit in each game, while Micah Duncan had a hit in game two and also made a big impact in the outfield.

“He stepped up and played great today,” Tomlin said of Duncan.

Aidan Dorsch also doubled for St. Bernard’s in game two.