File photo – Austin Michel and the Wildcats got their first two wins of the season on Saturday.

The Ferndale Wildcats got their league campaign off to a successful start on Saturday, sweeping a Little 4 baseball doubleheader at Hoopa.

The Cats took the opener 8-4, but they had to rally from a late 6-2 deficit on the way to winning game two 12-6.

It was the Wildcats’ first games in two weeks and just their second and third of the season.

“Obviously we were rusty after the layoff, but I was happy with our pitching performance,” head coach Justin Andersen said. “And it was nice to see us have to deal with some adversity and work our way back.”

Levi Dixon and Austin Michel both pitched well and got the wins on the mound.

Dixon, who was “pretty much lights out,” according to his coach, got the start in the opener and dominated.

The Cats junior gave up just one earned run in five innings, while striking out six and allowing two hits and two walks.

Parker Prior led the way at the plate and finished  3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs, while Trent Titus was 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs.

Dixon completed a strong all-around game by going 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Tanner Pidgeon was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Prescott Langer closed out the game on the mound.

Game two didn’t start quite so well for the visitors, but Michel took over on the mound in the third and was able to steady the ship and give his team a chance to rally.

“He kind of helped us shut the door and get us back on track,” Andersen said.

The junior ace gave up just one earned run on three hits in five innings, while also striking out eight.

The Wildcats trailed 6-2 but tied the game in the sixth and took control after that.

Titus, Prior, Dixon, Michel, Pidgeon and Wes Renner all had multiple hits in the win.

No stats were available for the Warriors, who dropped to 0-4 in league play, but Andersen was impressed with how they played.

“Hats off to Hoopa, they’re going in the right direction” he said. “Their energy and body language is definitely going in the right direction.”

Next up, Ferndale will host South Fork in a Little 4 doubleheader on Saturday.