File photo – Evan Fraser

Senior Tyson Bragg and freshman Rhythm Green both hit home runs on Tuesday as the McKinleyville Panthers continued to roll with a dominating 15-4 win in five innings in a non-league baseball showdown at St. Bernard’s.

The Big 5 champs racked up 15 hits in the win and quickly took control of the game with six runs in the top of the first inning.

“The kids hit the ball well,” head coach Mike Dobrec said. “They’re seeing it pretty good right now and kind of on a roll hitting wise.”

Nine different Panthers hit successfully in the win, including three freshmen, as the team continues to build momentum for the future.

Green hit his first high school home run and finished 1-for-2 with three RBIs, while Bragg finished 2-for-3 and also had three RBIs.

Freshman Hunter Carper also had a good day as he continues his very impressive debut season at the high school level and went 3-for-3 with two RBIs.

“It was a good game. Everybody got in and got an AB,” Dobrec added. “It was good to get all the young kids game time.”

With eyes on Friday’s Little 4 conference deciding doubleheader at Ferndale, the Crusaders utilized six different pitchers in the loss, with Mateo Gutierrez, Garrett Shanahan, Tyler Hinrichs, Luke Brunton, Michael Manzi and Michael Fugate each seeing time on the hill.

Manzi and Brunton, who have been two of the top L4 pitchers this season, each pitched a scoreless inning.

“Our boys will regroup at practice the next two days and get prepared for Friday’s championship doubleheader,” St. Bernard’s head coach Matt Tomlin said. “I’m very excited about the improvement our team has showed this season and I’m confident our boys will be ready to go on Friday.”

Senior Evan Fraser got the win on the mound and helped his own cause with a productive day at the plate.

Fraser, who will play at Hawaii Hilo after graduation, allowed just one hit in four innings and struck out four.

He also was 3-for-3 at the plate with three RBIs.

Sophomore Blake Santos and freshman Joe Tanno each threw one inning in relief.

Another freshman, Cody Wilson, also had a base hit in the win, as the Panthers showcased their young depth.

File photo – The St. Bernard’s boys will play for the Little 4 championship at Ferndale on Friday.

Riles Egbert (2-for-3), Tenoch Tapia (1-for-2), Ruger Baxter (1-for-2) and Santos (1-for-2) each also had a hit in the win, while Branson Dobrec had two RBIs.

“I want to compliment coach Dobrec and coach Sargent at McKinleyville,” Tomlin added. “They have an outstanding team loaded with super talented ball players. But more importantly they play the game hard, with class, and they respect the game. I want to wish them the best of luck in the postseason.”

Gutierrez hit a home run for one of just two St. Bernard’s hits on the day, while teammate Tyler Maples added a double and an RBI.

The win was the 10th straight for the Panthers, who improved to 17-4.

St. Bernard’s, who had won five straight coming into the game, dropped to 12-9-1.

Next up, the Panthers will play a non-league doubleheader at Enterprise on Thursday, while the Crusaders will head to Ferndale for one of the most anticipated showdowns of the spring in the H-DNL.

Game one is set for 2 p.m.

File photo – McKinleyville freshman Hunter Carper had three hits in Tuesday’s win.