File photo – The Del Norte Warriors
The Del Norte Warriors showcased their depth in softball on Saturday on the way to taking both ends of a doubleheader at Eureka and completing a three-game series sweep over a young Loggers team.
The visitor won game one 12-3 and followed that with a 5-1 in game two.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the day, however, was the play of the Del Norte bench, with five players coming in together late in game one and all five having an immediate impact.
“Towards the end of the game we brought in some subs and they came in and set the table and scored a couple of runs,” head coach Aaron Healy said. “It was a very pleasant surprise.”
The five players included Lauren Stutes, Trinity Hawkins, Neela Travis and Madison Calleja, who hit four straight base hits between them, before teammate Presli Dunham came in and laid down a well-executed sac bunt to move a pair of runners to second and third.
Pitchers McKenna Curtis and Shay Nolan both continued to impress in the circle for the Warriors, who improved to 7-2 in the Big 5 and hold a slender lead over McKinleyville (8-4) and Fortuna (6-3) heading into the final week of conference play.
“In the first game we hit the ball well as a team,” Healy added. “In the second game, (Eureka pitcher) Kaitlin (Giacone) kept us on our toes and pitched a pretty good game.”
Giacone continues to lead the way on a Eureka roster that features 11 sophomores and freshmen and just three seniors and juniors.
“In game two, our defense definitely did a lot better,” Eureka head coach Cheyenne King said. “We left a lot of people on base though. But the kids are keeping a positive attitude. This year is definitely a learning experience for us.”
Giacone hit a two-run home run in the opener.
File photo
File photo
Carlee Harper also continued to impress for the visitors and was 3-for-5 in the opener with a two-run home run.
Giacone’s home run was one of just two hits for the Loggers in that game, as Curtis dominated in the circle and struck out 14 on her way to the win.
Nolan also pitched well in game two and gave up just two hits in five innings, before Curtis came in to close out the game and struck out four of the eight batters she faced.
Both pitchers got plenty of help from a Del Norte defense that appears to be peaking at the business end of the season.
“Our defense just works good as a whole,” Healy added. “When we’re all clicking, we’re pretty good.”
With the two losses the Loggers dropped to 1-8 in the Big 5 and are now out of the running for the Charles Lakin tournament.
They are, however, continuing to show signs of improvement and that has the coaches excited for the future of the team.
“It’s been a tough season, but they’re keeping their heads up,” King added. “We’ll have a solid foundation for next year.”
File photo
