Arcata

SOFTBALL ROUNDUP — Warriors remain unbeaten in B5; Huskies get first league wins

Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Action from Saturday’s doubleheader between the Huskies and Tigers at Arcata High.

The Fortuna Huskies ended a seven-game losing streak with a doubleheader sweep at Arcata on Saturday, winning game one 3-2 and taking game two 5-2.

And they did it thanks to some strong pitching from senior Libby Johnston and freshman Isabella Sanchez.

Johnston threw a four-hit, complete game in game one, with Sanchez allowing just one hit in a complete-game in game two.

In other local softball on Saturday, the Hoopa Warriors won a pair of road games against fellow Division-4 teams at Mendocino College, beating Fort Bragg 11-1 and Kelseyville 7-0.

Up in Crescent City, the Del Norte Warriors won both games in a doubleheader against McKinleyville to complete a series sweep, including an 11-10 win in eight innings in game two.

The Del Norte girls are now 6-0 in league and 12-3 overall, while the Panthers dropped to 4-5 and 9-6.

The St. Bernard’s girls also had a good day and stretched their winning streak to four straight with a pair of wins at Trinity, winning 13-6 and 8-6.

The Crusaders are now 8-10 on the season.

At Arcata, Johnston struck out four and walked just two on her way to the win in the circle, and she got plenty of support from her offense, in particular from Kadence Mace.

The Huskies junior infielder got the day off to a good start with a two-run home run in the top of the third inning of the opener and would finish the game 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

Johnston and Myra Hayes each also had two hits in that win, including a double by Hayes.

Taylor Appy, Sagen Sarchett, Jessica Kaber, and Josie Cunningham all had singles for the Tigers, who scored two runs in the first before Johnston shut the door.

Sanchez was even more impressive in game two, as the freshman pitcher continues to settle in well to the varsity level.

She had a no-hitter going into the seventh and final inning, before Arcata senior Morgan Ford hit a line drive base hit to lead off the inning.

Ford would advance on an infield error and would reach home plate on an Appy sac fly, with Fortuna freshman Olivia Hayes laying out in a spectacular diving catch on the play in right center.

Sanchez then induced two groundouts to shortstop to clinch the doubleheader sweep.

She would finish with six strikeouts and also walked five.

The Fortuna bats accounted for 12 hits in the win, with Hayes leading the way and finishing 3-for-4.

Kylee Fennell was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Mace remained hot with two more hits and Johnston, Zoe Dewberry, Faith Helms, Mariah Smith and Mariah Bravo all had singles.

Ford pitched well in both games for the Tigers.

“We had our chances and couldn’t cash in,” Arcata head coach Steve Sarchett said. “Morgan pitched her heart out in both games, giving our team a chance to win.”

The Huskies are now 2-7 in league play and 8-7 overall, while the Arcata girls are 1-5 and 1-12.

“We are gaining experience and growing,” Steve Sarchett said. “Does the growing hurt? Yes. But it is necessary and is part of having a young team.”

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