Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Justin Freitas in action for the Cubs on Thursday.

By Ray Hamill — Despite the questionable weather here on the North Coast, the local baseball and softball seasons are building momentum, with several players and teams stepping up their games.

No one more so than South Fork senior Justin Freitas and College of the Redwoods freshman Maeghan Hampton, whose recent performances make them our athletes of the week.

Hampton has been on fire at the plate for the Corsairs over the last week and also has been providing a reliable glove at shortstop, while Freitas has been a force for the Cubs at the plate and on the mound.

In her last four games, three of which the CR women won, Hampton is a remarkable 12-for-14, with a home run, a triple, a double and seven RBIs.

For good measure she also has six stolen bases in those games.

Freitas also has impressed for the Cubs.

The senior standout hit two home runs in his team’s first five games of the season and on Thursday he threw a no-hitter at St. Bernard’s in a 6-1 loss.

Our team of the week, meanwhile, is the Ferndale Wildcats, who have quietly begun the high school baseball season in impressive fashion.

On Thursday, the Wildcats swept a Little 4-opening doubleheader against Hoopa at Ferndale to go to 2-0 in conference and 5-0-1 overall.

Earlier in the week, they rallied for a 5-4 win over Fortuna.

It’s still very early in the season, but the Cats have impressed as much as any team in the H-DNL through the early going and have already posted wins over the defending Little 4 champs (St. Bernard’s) and the defending Big 5 champs (Fortuna), as well as tying the defending Division-4 North Coast Section champs (Arcata).

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK 

Maeghan Hampton

CR Softball, Freshman

The CR bats have been building momentum in recent games, with Hampton leading the way.

Her big week saw her season average jump to a very impressive .467

The freshman standout, who plays shortstop and in the outfield, has also hit successfully in 10 of her last 11 games.

Hampton’s average at the plate is second best in the Golden Valley Conference, as are her 12 stolen bases.

For more on her big week, see Corsairs remain hot at the plate, split conference-opening doubleheader …

Justin Freitas 

South Fork Baseball, Senior

The Cubs ace appears determined to close out his high school career on a high.

Freitas, who is a multi-sport standout for South Fork, is one of two team captains and has been leading the way and setting the tone for his teammates early in the season.

He did walk 10 batters in Thursday’s no-hitter, which is why the Cubs lost (along with the Crusaders’ aggressive approach on the bases), but in fairness many in attendance felt the strike zone was a little questionable early in the game and he adapted as the afternoon went on with just one walk after the third inning.

Fo more on his big week, see Freitas throws no-hitter in Little 4 loss, as Crusaders sweep …

File photo

TEAM OF THE WEEK 

Ferndale Baseball

Time will tell if the Wildcats are ready to end St. Bernard’s recent dominance in the Little 4, but early indications suggest they might be.

Under the guidance of head coach Justin Andersen, the Ferndale boys are taking care of business early in the season and setting themselves up for a strong conference challenge.

Perhaps most impressive is the fact they are getting big contributions from throughout the lineup and not relying too heavily on any one or two players.

Three of their early-season wins have come against a struggling Hoopa team, but they have also impressed against some of the top teams in the area, including a notable come-from-behind win against Fortuna earlier this week.

For more on their big week, see Wildcats keep rolling in conference-opening pitchers’ duel …