Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Evan Fraser delivers a pitch in game one of Saturday’s doubleheader.

The McKinleyville Panthers showcased their championship credentials against the Huskies on Saturday with a dominating opening day in Big 5 baseball.

In a doubleheader that was switched to McKinleyville because of the field conditions in Fortuna, the host Panthers won both games comfortably by scores of 10-1 and 14-3 in five innings.

Senior pitcher Evan Fraser set the tone on the mound early and got plenty of help from a defense that played mistake free ball and an offense that racked up 24 runs on the day.

“I’ve got to give a ton of props to McKinleyville, especially Fraser and (Branson) Dobrec on the mound,” Fortuna head coach Max Betts said. “Fraser, he threw fastballs and curveballs for strikes the entire game and we were so off balance.”

Fraser threw a complete-game two-hitter on just 67 pitches and while he had two hit batsmen he did not give up any walks and struck out six.

“He was on today,” McKinleyville head coach Mike Dobrec said of the senior standout. “He thew well and he kind of set the tone for the day.”

Fortuna’s Drew Franklin also impressed on the hill for the visitors in the opener and the game remained in the balance until late, with just two runs separating the two schools until the seventh.

“Drew played great,” Betts said of the Fortuna ace. “Drew did what Drew does and he threw strikes. Unfortunately we didn’t have the greatest day on the field. But Drew gave us a chance.”

Riles Egbert led the Panthers at the plate in the opener and finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Bryce Sargent finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and Tenoch Tapia went 2-for-5 with three RBIs.

The hard-hitting Tyson Bragg added a triple, with Jackson Kelly and Rhythm Green rounding out a 10-hit team performance.

Catcher Marcus Ludd had a good day behind the plate for Fortuna, especially in game one, and he also had one of his team’s two base hits, with teammate Blayne Barrotte adding a double.

Game two got away from the visitors quickly as the home team scored seven runs in the bottom of the first, and after that there was no way back for the Huskies, although they did hit the ball better.

So too did the Panthers.

Kolbey Stolpe led a dominating performance by the Mack bats and finished 2-for-3 with a home run, a double and three RBIs, while Bragg went 2-for-4 and also had a home run just moments after Stolpe’s to cap a very good day at the plate.

Freshman Hunter Carper also was 2-for-4 as he continues to impress early at the varsity level, while Egbert continued to see the ball well with his fourth base hit of the afternoon.

Tapia, Sargent, Kelly and Fraser each also had a base hit in the win.

“We’re starting to swing the bat pretty good,” said Mike Dobrec, whose team improved to 2-0 in the Big 5 and 6-3 overall. “The kids hit the ball well and we made most of our plays defensively today.”

Branson Dobrec pitched four strong innings and impressed on the way to the victory, with Joe Tanno throwing one inning in relief to close out the game.

Like Fraser, neither Branson Dobrec or Tanno issued any walks.

Chad Mussey took the loss on the mound for the Huskies but led his team at the plate and finished 2-for-3, with Ludd, Franklin, Kallen Barrotte, Tyler Schlesiger and Nathan Cleek each also getting a hit.

The defending Big 5 champs lost seven key players from last year and having just four practices on their field so far this year certainly hasn’t helped.

“We’re definitely young and a little raw,” Betts said. “It’s been tough to get in the reps.

“But they’re resilient and they’re trying every day. I’m very happy with where we’re at. We’re learning. Everything’s a learning experience.”

This day, however, belonged to the Panthers, and one senior in particular.

“McKinleyville’s approach at the plate today was great,” Betts added. “And Fraser was so effective in that first game.”