Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports,.com – Cameron Saso in action for the Humboldt Crabs last summer.

By Ray Hamill — Former McKinleyville Panther Cameron Saso will get the start on the hill on opening night as he returns for his third season with the Humboldt Crabs.

The local collegiate summer baseball club begins its 80th season here on the North Coast with a three-game series against Seals Baseball this weekend, with game one set for Friday night.

And this year, the team should have plenty of options for their season opener with a larger than usual group of 20 players already in Arcata and showing up for practice on Thursday.

That group includes six local standouts.

In addition to Saso, four other former H-DNL players are on this year’s roster, as well as College of the Redwoods record breaker Blake Browning.

Browning, who set a new single-season CR record with eight home runs this past spring, will be playing his first season with the Crabs.

“I’ve been liking a lot of what I’ve seen from him,” Crabs manager Robin Guiver said of the corner outfielder. “He’s a really strong kid and he’s got some power for sure. And he’s very happy to be on the Crabs and we’re happy to have him.”

Likewise with Saso, a 2020 McKinleyville High graduate who played this spring at Colorado State University Pueblo.

The former Panthers star will be thrust into the spotlight on opening night, and, according to Guiver, he’s relishing the opportunity.

“He looks great and he’s excited and fired up to get out there on opening night,” the Crabs manager said.

The third-year Crabs player, however, won’t be the most seasoned player on this year’s roster.

That honor goes to a rare four-year player with the team, former St. Bernard’s standout Caleb Ruiz.

Photo courtesy of the Humboldt Crabs

The 2019 SB graduate will play a fourth summer at the Arcata Ball Park after receiving an extra year of college eligibility when his school, the University of Antelope Valley, unexpectedly closed its doors in the middle of the spring baseball season.

Also returning to the Crabs this summer is former Eureka High standout Hayden Bode, who played with the team two summers ago, while his former Loggers teammate Keenan Morris also will play for the team this summer after a couple of big seasons playing for Santa Rosa JC.

And rounding out the local contingent of players on this year’s team is another former Eureka Logger, Parker Rodgers.

Rodgers is coming off two big years playing for CR.

As usual for opening weekend, Guiver is still getting to know many of the team’s players and how they will fit into the team.

“I’m still figuring it out,” he said after two days of practice with the players on Wednesday and Thursday. “We’ve got a few returners and a good group of locals and we’re still waiting on a few guys.

“As always, we’re just trying to get everybody here.”

A big difference for the team this summer will see the Crabs playing for a conference title for the first time in 11 years after they joined the newly-formed Pacific Empire League.

League play gets under way on June 18.

The new league also includes the Healdsburg Prune Packers, Lincoln Potters, Medford Rogues, Solano Mudcats and West Coast Kings, all of which are teams Crabs fans will be familiar with.

“Being in the league is going to be a big deal for us,” Guiver said. “We’re excited about it. We’re excited to have something to play for.”

And once again this year, Guiver will be joined by pitching coach Eric Giacone and assistant coaches Jeff Giacomini and John Bryant.

“We’ve got good continuity with the coaching staff, which we’re excited about,” Guiver added. “I love working with these guys.”

Friday night’s season opener is set for 7 p.m., and the two clubs will also play on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

The Crabs will also play the Humboldt Eagles 19U team on Wednesday night.

“We’re excited about another summer,” Guiver said.