Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Action from Wednesday night’s game.

By Ray Hamill — Victor Castanada is enjoying life as a Humboldt Crabs player.

On Wednesday night, Castanada hit his third home run of the new season as the Crabs defeated the Humboldt Eagles 6-1 in front of a large crowd at the Arcata Ball Park.

The Chula Vista native finished 2-for-4 and scored a pair of runs, following his two-home run day against Seals Baseball on Sunday.

After waiting until mid June before hitting even one home run last summer, this year’s hard-hitting Crabs team now has five home runs in just four games.

The Eagles, who were playing their season opener, were held to three hits, with five different Crabs pitchers combining on the mound.

Logan Saloman got the start and threw three innings for the win, allowing two hits and striking out eight, with former St. Bernard’s Crusader Caleb Ruiz pitching one hitless inning in relief and striking out three.

The Crabs pitchers struck out 17 batters.

Mateo Gutierrez led the Eagles at the plate and finished 2-for-4, with teammate Cody Collins, a former Fortuna Husky, finishing 1-for-1 with a double, a walk and an RBI.

Rylan Lommori scored the Eagles’ only run of the night in the top of the first inning.

Returning Crabs MVP Billy Ham continued this impressive start to the new season with two more hits, while teammates Troy Harding and Ethan Rivera each also had two hits, including a double by Harding.

Ty Kennedy also had a double in the win, as the Crabs improved to 3-1.

Collins got the start on the mound for the Eagles and threw 3.1 innings for the loss, with Cooper Ohlsen, Ethan Thomas and Royce Olson each also seeing time on the mound.

Next up, the Crabs will welcome the Fresno A’s to the Arcata Ball Park for a three-games series this weekend, with game one set for Friday night at 7 p.m.

The Eagles will host the Northern Humboldt Giants on Friday night at 6 p.m.