Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Jackson Giacone in action for the Crabs against Seals Baseball this week.

By Ray Hamill — Former Eureka Logger Jackson Giacone is back with the Humboldt Crabs this summer, and more importantly he’s back playing baseball again.

Giacone joined the Crabs right out of high school a year ago and had an immediate impact with the team.

He batted an impressive .305 with seven doubles and 20 RBIs in his debut summer with the local collegiate summer club.

However, Giacone suffered a neck injury in the fall that sidelined him for the year at Cal State Fullerton and he has only recently returned to the field of play.

But all signs are positive.

“He’s doing great,” Crabs manager Robin Guiver said. “He’s not to where he needs to be or wants to be at this point, but I think whatever he gets out of this summer will benefit him.”

Heading into a Friday night showdown with the NorCal Warriors, Giacone has been eased back into the starting lineup and has seen limited action over the past two weeks.

He has not yet been cleared to dive by the medical staff, but he has been making his presence felt while filling in as designated hitter, as well as at first base and in left field.

“It’s great to see him out there,” Guiver said. “We can’t totally turn him loose, but he’s doing some good stuff.”

In six appearances so far, Giacone is batting .100, but he continues to challenge opposing pitchers with his trademark patience at the plate.

Last year, Giacone had 29 free passes — 21 walks and eight hit-by-pitches — which was the second best mark on the team.

This summer, while he has just two hits in 27 plate appearances he has been walked five times.

“He’s getting his opportunities and he’s going to keep getting them,” Guiver said. “I’m super happy for him. It was a scary situation and for him to be back on the field, it’s great to see and it speaks of his hard work.”

Friday’s game is set for 7 p.m. and the Crabs will also play weekend games against Seals Baseball on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.