File photo – The South Fork Cubs

It was definitely a tale of two games at Ferndale on Saturday, as South Fork and Ferndale split a Little 4 doubleheader in baseball.

The Cubs won game one 17-3 and the Wildcats took game two 8-4.

“We were absolutely complete terrible in the first game, and then we showed up in the second game,” Ferndale head coach Justin Andersen said. “It wasn’t ideal conditions, but credit to (South Fork). They put pressure on our defense and we just couldn’t respond.”

After putting up 17 runs in the opener, however, the Cubs managed just four hits in the second game, which was “a little rougher offensively,” according to head coach Chris Contreras.

“I’m surprised we stayed in the game with so few hits,” Contreras said. 

In game one, the Wildcats scored some early runs and led 3-1 before the Cubs took over.

South Fork’s Broc Contreras went 2-for-5 with two runs in the win, while Makani Buck-Zullium was 2-for-2 with three walks and four runs.

John harding also had a sac fly, an RBI and two runs, as well as pitching the win.

“He threw great,” Chris Contreras said of the senior, who threw four scoreless inning after a shaky start by the South Fork defense and allowed just one hit and three walks.

“I was stoked for our kids to see some runs go up on the board,” the head coach added.

Ferndale’s Levi Dixon got the win on the mound in game two, with Parker Prior also impressing in relief.

“Our offense needs to be more consistent,” Andersen said. “That’s kind of been the problem for us early, but our pitching in game two was the biggest difference.”

Wes Renner led the way at the plate for the home team in game two and was 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs, while Tanner Pidgen went 1-for-4 with an RBI.

“I was happy to see the way we responded after not being mentally ready in the first game,” Andersen said.

The normally impressive Justin Freitas got the start on the mound for South Fork, “but just couldn’t find his rhythm,” according to Chris Contreras.

Jonah Wansick pitched well in relief and threw a lot of strikes to keep his team within touching distance.

Broc Contreras and Harding earned the praise of both coaches.

“It’s such a delight to have players like Broc Contreras and John Harding to be able to insert them into different positions,” Chris Contreras said. “And they both played great. (Harding) made some spectacular plays in center field and Broc caught both games.”

Ferndale is now 3-1 in the Little 4 and 3-2 overall, while South Fork is 1-3 and 1-5.

Next up, next Saturday, the Cubs travel to Hoopa for two league games, while the Cats host St. Bernard’s in a doubleheader.