Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – McKinleyville’s Evan Fraser

By Ray Hamill — A pair of H-DNL pitchers played big roles for their respective teams this week, as each took over top spot in the Big 5.

McKinleyville senior Evan Fraser was outstanding in a pair of games against Fortuna on Saturday and Eureka on Wednesday on his way to back-to-back victories on the mound.

The standout senior, who play at Hawaii Hilo after graduation, threw back-to-back two hitters and carried a perfect game into the sixth inning in a top-of-the-standings clash at Eureka.

And that makes him one of our athletes of the week, an award sponsored as always by College of the Redwoods Athletics.

Our second athlete of the week nod goes to Fortuna’s Isabel Sanchez, who has arguably been the most impressive pitcher in H-DNL softball so far this season, and that continued on Wednesday when she led her team to a huge 5-4 win over Del Norte.

Sanchez pitched a complete game for the victory, allowing five hits and four walks and striking out five.

With the win, Sanchez and the Huskies took over sole possession of top spot in the conference standings with a 3-1 record after their first four games.

And that leads us nicely onto our team of the week award, which goes to, yes you’ve guessed it, the Fortuna softball team.

The impressive Huskies split their conference opening doubleheader against McKinleyville on Saturday, before taking the series rubber match on Tuesday.

They followed that one day later with their big win over the Warriors, who were considered the favorites to win the conference by many people.

The Fortuna girls also have been clutch, with all three of their conference wins coming by the narrowest of margins.

In fact, the Huskies are now 8-3 and exactly half of their wins have come by just one run.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK 

Evan Fraser

McKinleyville Baseball, Senior

With plenty of help from his defense and offense, Fraser has quickly established himself as one of the most reliable pitchers in the Big 5 this season.

He threw a complete game in the Panthers’ conference opener against Fortuna, allowing just two hits and no walks and striking out six.

And he followed that with another two-hitter in six innings against the Loggers, who had come into the big showdown tied with McKinleyville for the Big 5 lead.

Fraser also has been efficient with his pitches, throwing Saturday’s complete game on just 67 pitches.

For more on his big week, see Panthers win pitchers’ duel at Eureka …

Isabel Sanchez 

Fortuna Softball

The standout sophomore impressed a year ago during her first season playing high school softball, but she has taken her game to a new level this spring.

And Sanchez is making a big contribution both in the circle and at the plate, with some clutch and timely hits along the way.

In just her second season, Sanchez and her teammates are in contention for the Big 5 championship for the first time in several years.

For more on her big week, see Huskies move ahead in Big 5 softball …

TEAM OF THE WEEK 

Fortuna Softball

It’s been a few years since the Fortuna girls have won a Big 5 title, and while it’s still early in this year’s campaign, they are at least in pole position four games in.

Obviously Sanchez’s pitching has been pivotal in the team’s early success, but that’s far from the only reason they’re winning.

Head coach Eric Helms is getting big  contributions from throughout his lineup and the team defense has also impressed, with the infield and outfield making the plays they need.

For more on their big week, see Huskies move ahead in Big 5 softball …