File photo – The Ferndale Wildcats are now 3-0-1

The Ferndale Wildcats returned to action after an 11-day break on Tuesday, as they continued their impressive start to the new baseball season.

The Cats hosted rivals Fortuna and rallied for a 5-4 victory to keep their unbeaten start going.

The long layoff between games showed early as the Ferndale boys struggled to find much rhythm, but they grew into the game and overcame a 4-1 deficit with four late runs.

Sophomore pitcher Prescott Langer kept his team in the game early and had a good game on the mound.

“For the first half of the game, he was the difference for us,” Ferndale head coach Justin Andersen said. “He kept it close.”

Langer gave up just two earned runs on three hits and four walks in 5.1 innings and struck out four for a no decision.

Parker Prior threw the final 1.2 innings and got the win.

Prior also impressed at the plate and finished the afternoon 2-for-4 with a double, a run and two RBIs, while teammate Austin Michel went 2-for-3 with a double, a run and an RBI.

Trent Titus also impressed at the plate and was 1-for-2 with an RBI and two runs, while Langer went 1-for-2 with an RBI and Levi Dixon was 1-for-3.

The Huskies scored three runs in the top of the fifth to break a 1-1 tie and take a 4-1 lead

However, after looking “a little rusty on defense” early on after their long layoff, according to Andersen, the Wildcats stepped up late.

In the bottom half of the fifth, Titus drew a walk, before back-to-back RBI doubles by Prior and Michel got the late rally started.

“We started off flat, but got ourselves going later in the game,” Andersen said. “Our pitchers kept it close, and if our starting pitchers can keep it close we’ve got a chance.

File photo

“Any time we’ve got to go to our bullpen and (our opponents) have to go to their bullpen, I like our chances.”

Chad Mussey got the start on the mound for the Huskies and threw four strong innings, giving up just one earned run and striking out eight.

The senior also finished 1-for-3 at the plate with a double.

Drew Franklin and Caden Lewis each went 1-for-3 for Fortuna, while Hunter Reback finished 1-for-4.

Nathan Cleek threw two innings in relief and took the loss.

The Huskies, who dropped to 1-4-1, will try to bounce back when they host South Fork on Wednesday afternoon.

Next up for the Wildcats, who are 3-0-1, is their league opening doubleheader at home against Hoopa on Thursday afternoon.

So far this season, the impressive Cats have beaten St. Bernard’s and Fortuna, while also tying Arcata.