By Ray Hamill — Humboldt Sports fans have spoken and the Eureka Loggers are the favorites to win this year’s Big 5 in softball.

In response to a poll we first published last week asking our readers who they think will win the league pennant, the Eureka girls were the clear frontrunners.

The Loggers received 36 percent of all votes cast and likely will be a tough proposition for the other four schools in league, especially with senior standout Kira Morris in the circle.

We also have a clear choice for the second favorites in this year’s league.

The McKinleyville Panthers, who placed second in league last year, received 27 percent of the votes.

The Panthers, who are also the defending North Coast Section Division-4 champions, are always competitive under head coach Shanna McCracken and that should continue to be the case again this spring.

The Fortuna Huskies, who are off to an unbeaten 6-0 start this season, are the third favorites in our readers’ eyes and received 17 percent of the votes.

Interestingly, the Fortuna girls are the highest ranked local team, according to MaxPreps.

Rounding out our poll, Del Norte received 12.5 percent of the votes while a young Arcata team received 7.5 percent of the votes.

The Big 5 gets under way on Wednesday, with Arcata hosting Eureka and McKinleyville traveling to Fortuna.

Both games are set for 4 p.m.

The Del Norte Warriors have an opening-week bye.