Photo by Cherie Fry Circe – The McKinleyville seniors

Camryn Pinard had a Senior Day to remember on Saturday, as the Panthers swept a Big 5 softball doubleheader against the Arcata Tigers at McKinleyville High School.

Pinard was one of five Mack seniors honored before game two and would finish the day with three hits in each game, including a home run in each game.

The Panthers took the opener 10-0 in five innings and won game two 7-3.

“They came out fired up today and they kept the intensity up,” McKinleyville head coach Shanna McCracken said. “I thought they played really well and played as a team.

“Cam had a heck of game.”

Pinard was 3-for-4 in the opener with a home run, a double and two RBIs, and she followed that by going 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs in the second game.

Several of her teammates also had multiple hits in both games, as the Mack offense put up 17 runs on the day.

In game one, Trinity Preston was 2-for-2 with an RBI; Taya Gomes was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI; Kennedy Minton was 2-for-3 with a double; and Mashell Stumpf was 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI.

Bailee Box, McKennah Sargent and Rebecca Barnett each also had a hit in the win, with Sargent and Stumpf both impressing in the circle.

The hits continued for the home team in the second game, with nine players hitting successfully.

Taylor Wade was 3-for-4 and also continued to impress defensively at first base, where she has played well recently.

Sargent, Barnett and Gomes each added two hits, including a double and an RBI by Gomes, while Preston and Minton each was 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

Box and Kayla Beck each also had a hit in the win, as the Panthers closed out league play 7-5 and improved to 11-6 overall.

Stumpf and Sargent again split time in the circle and each continued to impress and hold the Arcata bats in check.

“I’m super proud of all of them,” McCracken said.

Despite the two losses, a young Arcata team played better than in Wednesday’s series opener.

Senior Sagen Sarchett, who will play at Cal Poly Humboldt next year, was the Tigers’ offensive standout and was 3-for-4.

While admitting that “McKinleyville can hit,” Arcata head coach Steve Sarchett was pleased with the improved performance from his players.

“We hit a lot of good balls, just right at people,” he said. “Morgan (Ford) pitched good, but Mack put a lot of balls in play.”

Freshman Riley Houston pitched one solid inning as she continues to gain some varsity experience.

“Our defense got better as the day went on,” said Steve Sarchett, whose team dropped to 1-8 in league play.

Photo by Cherie Fry Circe

Photo by Cherie Fry Circe