Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — It was a disappointing end to the season for the Humboldt Eagles 19Us, but that doesn’t take from what was another enjoyable summer for the local American Legion club.

After dropping two of three games in pool play at the Area Tournament this week, the Eagles bowed out of the playoffs.

They did close out with a victory, beating Napa 6-2 on Saturday, but a pair of one-run losses to Petaluma and Yolo Post 77 on Thursday and Friday eliminated them from tournament play.

However, it was another memorable campaign for this group of local all-star players, who represent five local high schools and three community Colleges.

The Eagles closed out with an impressive mark of 26-13-1, and as always were among the most entertaining summer teams here on the North Coast.

And that makes them our Team of the Week, which is sponsored by College of the Redwoods Athletics.

Our Athlete of the Week, meanwhile, is Humboldt Crabs pitcher Brady Chavez, who is enjoying an outstanding summer at the Arcata Ball Park.

Chavez has been lights out and the team’s most reliable arm out of the bullpen, leading the way on a very impressive pitching staff, one that has been setting the tone for the team this summer.

The right-hander from Cabrillo College has yet to allow a run in 19 innings and has given up just eight hits while recording three saves in three save opportunities.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Brady Chavez

Humboldt Crabs

Photo by Humboldt Crabs

Chavez, a Santa Cruz native, is enjoying an outstanding debut season with the Crabs, where he has helped establish this year’s pitching staff as one of the better the team has seen in recent years.

Chavez threw a season-high four innings in a 5-1 win over the Bercovich Honors last weekend.

He also has walked just two batters all summer in 19 innings while striking out 33.

Submitted photo

File photo

TEAM OF THE WEEK 

Humboldt Eagles 19Us

As always, there were many highlights for this year’s Humboldt Eagles 19Us, including an epic 15-inning showdown with the Humboldt Crabs in early June, as they battled a summer collegiate team of Division-I players all the way before barely losing 4-3.

This year’s team was particularly dangerous at the plate with several big bats and featured one of the best offenses the local club has seen in recent summers.

The season may have come to an end, but the Eagles left their mark on the summer of 2023.