File photo – Southern Humboldt’s Crue Contreras

The Southern Humboldt 76ers held on late to secure a 2-1 win over the Humboldt Eagles in a showdown of local 19U American Legion baseball teams at Fortuna on Tuesday night.

The Eagles pulled within one run in the top of the seventh inning and had a runner in scoring position when Ferndale’s Garrett Christiansen made a spectacular diving catch in center field and then threw to second base to complete a game-ending double play.

“Defensively, as a whole we played really well,” said 76ers head coach Andy Olsen, whose team improved to 3-6. 

South Fork’s Tanner Curran led the way at the plate in the win, finishing 2-for-3 and scoring one his team’s two runs, both of which came in the bottom of the fifth in what was a tight game.

Fortuna’s Aaron Head-Mason got the win on the mound, carrying on from his big spring for the Huskies.

Head-Mason pitched all seven innings, allowing just three hits and three walks and striking out nine.

“He was very sharp, very tight,” Olsen said.

Head-Mason also drove in one of his team’s runs.

Crue Contreras added a double and also made a great diving catch in the outfield, while Ethan Ward and Wyatt Wilson each also had a hit.

Daniel Minton pitched four solid innings for the Eagles, giving up two hits and six walks, while striking out seven.

Connor Johnson pitched two innings in relief.

At the plate for the Eagles, Mason Nichols had a double, with Caden Vance and Landon Gomes each also finishing with a hit.

Next up, the Eagles (2-9) will play at the Medford tournament this weekend against some of the top Oregon clubs.

The 76ers will have a week off before resuming in a doubleheader against the Eagles next Tuesday at Newburg Park.