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The Del Norte Warriors made it official on Wednesday afternoon, sweeping a doubleheader against Arcata to secure an outright Big 5 championship in softball.
After being forced to wait an additional four days to play their conference finales, the Warriors wasted little time and ended both games after five innings with identical 10-0 scores.
The victories lifted the Warriors to 10-2 in the Big 5, as they successfully defended the championship they won a year ago.
The question now is whether they can add a Charles Lakin tournament championship as well, as they get set to open the H-DNL postseason tourney on Thursday evening.
The Del Norte girls certainly have the momentum and talent to achieve that, and it’s a challenge they’re embracing.
“That was one of our goals, to win league,” first-year head coach Aaron Healy said. “The next is to win the Lakin tournament. I feel good about where we are and how we’re playing.
“It means a lot. A lot of hard work went into it.”
The Warriors closed out the Big 5 in style, with senior McKenna Curtis pitching a no-hitter for the win in game two, after junior Shay Nolan threw a three-hitter on the way to victory in game one.
Curtis struck out nine and also did not allow any walks as she looks to close out her high school career with a bang.
“They both did an excellent job in the circle,” Healy added.
So too did catcher Carlee Harper, who has been on fire at the plate down the stretch of the season and finished 6-for-8 over the two games on Wednesday.
“She’s on a tear,” Healy said of the junior who has batted over .620 in conference play. “She’s been very solid at the plate, picking her pitches and driving the ball.”
Senior Koy McQuillen also had a good day and finished 3-for-4, as Healy started all of his seniors in game two in their final regular-season home game.
Another senior, Madison Calleja, also had a big impact after taking over in the outfield for the injured Reece White.
The one piece of bad news on the day for the Warriors is that White suffered what appears to be a season-ending injury.
The outstanding senior center fielder has been one of the team’s most impactful players all season and was hitting .440 in conference play.
Sophomore Bliss Blackburn then moved from right field to center, with Calleja taking over in right field, and both players adjusted to the new roles seamlessly.
“I’m pretty proud of the whole team,” Healy said. “They all stepped up and came together. I think we’re peaking at the right time. Overall, they’re starting to play very well together.
“It’s all coming together at the right time.”
The Warriors will play McKinleyville in the first of the Lakin tournament semifinals at the Arcata Sports Complex on Thursday evening at 5 p.m.
The Big 5 conference championship also guarantees at least one home game for the upcoming North Coast Section playoffs.
The Warriors, who are currently ranked No. 3 in Division 4, will find out their NCS seed and opening opponent when the brackets are released this weekend.
