Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Arcata shortstop Josie Cunningham makes a spectacular diving infield catch to help seal a 7-6 victory in game one of Saturday’s doubleheader.
The Tigers and Eureka Loggers got the Big 5 under way with a couple of exciting games at Arcata High School on Saturday.
The home team rallied from a late 6-2 deficit in game one to win 7-6, but the visitors would bounce back to take game two, also by a 7-6 score.
Three of the four opening-day games in the Big 5 were decided by a single run.
At Fortuna, the Huskies opened their doubleheader against McKinleyville with a 3-2 victory, but the Panthers would not leave empty-handed and took game two 3-0 to split the doubleheader.
After winning just one game all of last spring, the Arcata girls have begun the 2024 season far better and a growing belief within the team was evident on Saturday in a thrilling come-from-behind performance in game one.
The Arcata girls scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a one-run lead and they made it stick by holding the Loggers scoreless in the top of the seventh to seal a dramatic win.
But they had to battle for it.
With the visitors threatening to score in the seventh, sophomore shortstop Josie Cunningham made a spectacular diving catch in the infield to help secure the win.
“I’m very proud of how the team is coming along and playing a better brand of softball day after day,” Arcata head coach Steve Sarchett said.
The Arcata bats had three big hits on the way to scoring the five late runs in game one, including a clutch line drive single down the right field line by sophomore Shia Sarchett to score Nallia Meyer for the game-winning run.
Steve Sarchett described it as a “great comeback.”
Both teams feature young lineups this season, with just five seniors combined.
The games were the first of the season for the Loggers and new head coach Cheyenne King was happy with the way her players responded after the game-one loss.
“We have a really young team, but they’re starting to come together well,” she said. “They got the first-game jitters out of the way and really started working together.”
Kaitlin Giacone, who was playing her first high school softball game in two years after missing all of last year through injury, had a good day in the circle and finished with 13 strikeouts.
“She has rehabbed just so phenomenally and has been just a powerhouse for us in every way, offensively defensively and as a team leader,” the coach said.
Giacone worked well with catcher and fellow team captain Mallorie Beauchamp.
“They’re our team captains and both have really stepped up to lead the team,” King said.
Sophomore pitcher Riley Houston threw all 14 innings for Arcata in the doubleheader and she continues to grow in stature in the circle.
A second comeback attempt in game two, however, fell short for the Tigers, who were unable to plate the potential go-ahead run from second in the bottom of the sixth.
“Eureka capitalized on a couple of our defensive miscues, but we stayed headstrong and in the game,” Steve Sarchett said. “We mounted a comeback with the go-ahead run on base but couldn’t get the run in.”
Lily Cunningham and Jenna Renteria led the Tigers at the plate in game two and combined for three hits and four RBIs.
The Loggers enjoyed some balanced offense in both games with several players hitting well but no one player carrying the bulk of the load.
“We had lots of learning moments, but I’m super proud of them,” King said. “They kept their heads high.”
Despite their young age, this year’s Eureka roster also features plenty of versatility.
“I have a lot of options,” the coach added. “I have a lot of girls that can play a lot of positions.”
With the split, the Tigers are now 1-1 in the Big 5 and 3-2 overall and they already have two more wins than they managed all of last season, showcasing the young team’s growth.
The Loggers are now 1-1 in the Big 5 and 1-1 overall.
The two schools will conclude a three-game series with the rubber match on Tuesday afternoon in Eureka at 4 p.m.
