Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Eureka pitcher Kira Morris, left, high fives teammate Zia Gee after she a made a big out at first base during Tuesday’s game.

By Ray Hamill — There were hard-fought battles across the board for the H-DNL teams involved in the NorCal playoffs on Tuesday evening, with all three of their games decided by just one run.

In Division-IV softball, Eureka edged Hoopa 1-0 at Washington Elementary, with senior McKenna Beach driving in teammate Payton Goodman for the only run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The No. 3 seed Loggers will now advance to play at No. 2 Monterey in Thursday’s semifinal round at 4 p.m.

Also in Division-IV softball, No. 5 McKinleyville barely fell on the road at No. 4 Carlmont in the Bay Area, losing 3-2.

It was fifth straight playoff game for the Panthers that was decided by one run, dating back to the Charlie Lakin semifinal loss to Hoopa.

In Division-III baseball, meanwhile, the St. Bernard’s Crusaders had to battle all the way in their quarterfinal at home against Foothill.

After the Cougars had tied the score, Nick Dugan drove in a late go-ahead run on the way to a 5-4 win.

The No. 4 seed Crusaders will now a semifinal against either No. 1 Monterey or No. 8 Central on Thursday.