Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Action from Wednesday’s game.
The top of the lineup rose to the occasion for Del Norte on Wednesday, as the Warriors moved one step closer to a second straight Big 5 title in softball with an 11-0 win in five innings at Arcata.
The victory lifts the Warriors to 8-2 in the Big 5 with two games remaining, but McKinleyville (8-4) and Fortuna (7-3) both also remain in the chase for the title as we head into the final weekend of conference play.
The Panthers have already completed their conference schedule, while Huskies beat the Eureka Loggers 11-4 on Wednesday and also have two games remaining.
Del Norte will play two more games against Arcata on Saturday, while the Huskies and Loggers will play a doubleheader at Eureka on Friday.
No matter what happens in Friday’s games, the Del Norte girls can secure the championship outright with two wins in their final two conference games.
Lead-off hitter Reece White finished 3-for-3 on Wednesday, while teammate Carlee Harper was 1-for-2 and McKenna Curtis was 2-for-3 with a home run.
“Our top three in the lineup did their job again,” Del Norte head coach Aaron Healy said of the three players, who have been setting the tone offensively for their teammates for much of the season.
Curtis also got the win in the pitcher’s circle, giving up just two hits for the shutout victory.
Curtis did walk eight Arcata batters, but also struck out 10.
And she continues to battle and has done a good job getting out of jams this season.
“It was a pretty good day on the mound for McKenna,” Healy said. “She is getting stronger and finding her comfort zone.”
With the Warriors in control early and leading 8-0 after three innings, Healy was able to go to his bench once again.
And once again they were effective and took advantage of their opportunities, showcasing the depth this team has.
“I managed to get all my players in the game and even the subs got a couple of hits,” the head coach said.
It was senior day for the Tigers and Lexi Alto lived up to the occasion.
The senior finished with both of her team’s hits, including a double.
“She has been working really hard and her efforts paid off today,” Arcata head coach Steve Sarchett said. “I’m so proud of her and the work she has done.”
The two schools will close out conference play with a doubleheader in Crescent City on Saturday, but the games have been pushed back to 2 and 4 p.m.
We’ll have more on Wednesday’s Fortuna/Eureka game on Thursday.
