Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Action from Wednesday’s game at Arcata.

By Ray Hamill — The St. Bernard’s girls got their first win of the new softball season at Arcata High on Wednesday, beating the Tigers 15-8.

And that will give them some momentum heading into a busy weekend, where they will play five games at the Biggs tournament on Friday and Saturday.

This year’s Crusaders team is relatively young but features a core group of experienced seniors that will be expected to lead the way, including Hannah Finck, Kiara McGinnis and Aubree Saunderson.

Head coach Brain Finck also has depth in the pitcher’s circle, with freshman Oni Orcutt and sophomore Emma Mowery splitting time in Wednesday’s win.

“I like our hitting and defense,” the coach said. “I’ve got some girls with a pretty high softball IQ, so I expect them to make some plays. We’ve got to make good decisions playing defense and on the bases.”

In addition to Orcutt and Mowery, sophomore Kayla Maples and the team’s lone junior, Sarah Luna, will also see some time in the circle and give the coaches some added options there.

“I’m happy with our pitchers,” Brian Finck said. “They’e throwing strikes. They’ll get stronger.”

Mowery was one of several players to shine in Wednesday’s win and had a triple.

Hannah Finck also had a big game as she begins her senior season and finished 3-for-5, while Sahara Tupua was 2-for-3.

Hannah Finck, Tupua and Saunderson each scored three times.

The win over the Big 5 school was a nice response after the Crusaders dropped lost both games in a season-opening doubleheader against Etna at the Bear River field on Thursday.

The experienced Hannah Finck is starting behind the plate again this year but the Crusaders will also have some depth at the position, with Makinsey Lemley and Bailee White both also expected to see some time there.

In addition to her presence at the plate, Tupua will bring some speed to the outfield, along with her younger sister, freshman Kyna Tupua, while Presley Orcutt and Carol Guo round out a five-player senior class.

The Crusaders would also benefit now from having their state championship basketball players back at practice after a busy few weeks for them.

Conference play begin next Friday, with the Crusaders hosting South Fork in a Little 4 doubleheader.

For the second straight year, the Crusaders will also field a JV team this spring, with 24 players in total with the program.

For more on the Arcata Tigers, see Cunningham, Mitchell shine early for young Arcata Tigers …

Submitted photo