Eureka boys prepare for their biggest test yet

By barstoolfanatics on May 11, 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Myles Standish delivers a pitch during a no-hitter at McKinleyville on opening day.

By Ray Hamill — The Eureka Loggers will put their unbeaten run on the line against Fortuna this week, in a three-game series between arguably the top two teams on the North Coast this spring.

The Loggers have been the team to beat so far, with seven wins in seven games, including five shutouts.

They have outscored opponents 71-5, most recently taking two games from Del Norte on Saturday.

The team’s pitching has been key, with three outstanding starters, including staff ace Myles Standish, who is just a sophomore.

Standish has yet to give up a run in three starts, allowing just two hits and two walks in 10 innings, while striking out a remarkable 24 batters.

He got the season off to a flying start with a no-hitter at McKinleyville on opening day.

And he’s not the only Logger impressing on the mound.

Senior starters Ethan Pesch and Hayden Bode give the team a potent one-two-three punch, while Connor Johnson, Jackson Giacone, Caden Vance and Brayden Youkey all have seen action out of the bullpen with no noticeable drop off.

Pesch won an exciting pitchers’ duel with Del Norte’s Brody Mattz on Saturday to keep the Loggers’ unbeaten run going.

Just as impressively, the Loggers have matched that pitching intensity at the plate, where they are averaging more than 10 runs a game with numerous players stepping up.

Catcher Parker Rodgers has been the team’s most consistent threat on offense, with a team-high .565 average.

Eureka’s Alexander Sorenson, left.

The senior, who has seen his game improve tremendously over the past two seasons, also has team-highs in RBIs (17), doubles (six) and home runs (one).

Right behind him is junior Jackson Giacone, a future Division-I college player who has verbally committed to play for West Coast powerhouse Cal State Fullerton after graduation next year.

Giacone is batting .545 with 13 RBIs, four RBIs and a triple, while Johnson is averaging .529.

Another senior, Keenan Morris, is also enjoying a huge spring, averaging .381 with nine RBIs and a team-best two triples and five walks.

“I couldn’t be happier with this group,” head coach Jeff Giacomini said recently. “I have all good kids. They never complain. They just love baseball. It’s definitely one of the funnest years I’ve ever had coaching.”