Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Jackson Kelly delivers a pitch during game two of Saturday’s doubleheader at McKinleyville.

Jackson Kelly threw a no-hitter against Eureka on Saturday as the Panthers and Loggers split a Big 5 doubleheader at McKinleyville.

After his team dropped the opener 4-1, Kelly was outstanding on the hill in leading the home team to a 10-1 win in game two in what the rubber match of a pivotal three-game series.

Saturday’s split means the Panthers remain atop the Big 5 standings with a record of 4-1, while Eureka remains right on their heels at 3-2.

Pitching was the story of the day, as it has been through the early conference schedule.

Sophomore Ty Crawford threw a one-hitter for the visitors in the opener, but Kelly went one better in game two and got plenty of offensive help from a McKinleyville team that continues to impress.

“He threw a great game,” McKinleyville head coach Mike Dobrec said of the junior standout, who struck out 12 Eureka batters on his way to the victory. “He worked ahead, he stayed ahead. He threw a heck of a game.”

Freshman Hunter Carper led the way at the plate in the win and was 3-for-3 with an RBI after also getting his team’s only hit in game one.

Carper is one of four freshmen on this year’s McKinleyville team and the first-year players have had an immediate impact at the high school level.

“Carper’s doing well as a freshman,” Dobrec said. “He’s been a bright spot all year. We’ve got a good group of freshmen this year.”

Evan Fraser and Tyson Bragg also impressed at the plate in the win and each was 3-for-4, with Fraser driving in a pair of runs and Bragg one.

Bryce Sargent also was 2-for-4 with three RBIs, while Riles Egbert finished 1-for-3 and Branson Dobrec and Kelly each also had an RBI.

The split keeps both Big 5 frontrunners well in contention for a conference championship with seven league games still remaining for both schools.

The Panthers took the series opener earlier in the week, wining 3-1 at Eureka on Wednesday.

“We knew what the task at hand was today,” Eureka head coach Tommy Gale said after Saturday’s split. “We really wanted to take both games. The goal is always to go .500 on the road, but we’re certainly disappointed we didn’t win both games.

“It was another day of good pitching in both games. Jackson Kelly pitched a hell of a ball game and he definitely deserved that win.”

Crawford too deserved his victory earlier in the day, throwing a complete-game one-hitter with one walk and six strikeouts.

“There’s a reason he’s our Saturday starter,” his coach said. “We look to set the tone with Ty in the first game of our doubleheaders on Saturday and his performance today is right in line with what we expect from him.”

The impressive sophomore got just enough offensive support with Alex Jimenez, Cole Zellar, Robert Williams and Royce Olson each finishing the game with a hit.

Two of Eureka’s runs in the win came on a defensive mishap, when a pair of McKinleyville players collided while trying to make a play.

Branson Dobrec also impressed on the mound in the loss, striking out five in five innings, before freshman Joe Tanno came in to throw the last two innings and he once again impressed despite his young age.

Kelly drove in McKinleyville’s only run on a sac bunt.

“We just had a couple of mishaps on defense,” Mike Dobrec said.

The Panthers responded well in game two and quickly took control with five runs in the second inning and two more in the third.

“I thought the kids bounced back great in game two,” Mike Dobrec said. “They were kind of hanging their heads after the first game because we knew the mistakes hurt us.”

The Loggers, who have played fewer games than any other Big 5 team, are still finding their feet, but Gale remains optimistic they will get better as the season progresses.

“I was very happy with the win, but I think we still need to put more runs on the board,” the first-year Eureka head coach said. “We’re still looking to find our stride offensively. I think there’s room for improvement still.”

Cooper Ohlsen took the loss on the mound in game two, with Jorge Lopez pitching in relief.

“I thought our bench was great in the second game,” Gale said. “It was a great opportunity to get them some playing time and that was definitely a positive.”

Next up, the Panthers are scheduled to host South Fork in a non-league showdown on Wednesday afternoon at 4, before playing a make-up game against Fortuna on Thursday.

The Loggers will play a Big 5 make-up game against Arcata in Eureka on Wednesday.