Wild Cactus baseball got the Northern Humboldt Giants American Legion tournament off to a victorious start on Friday with an 11-0 win over Red Bluff in five innings.

The local club, which features mostly players from St. Bernard’s, comfortably took care of business with several players stepping up.

None more so than Jackson Sharp, who got the win on the mound.

The Winship Junior High student threw 3.2 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and one walk and striking out three.

Remarkably he did so in just his second appearance on a high school size field with the mound 60’ 6” from home plate.

“Jackson Sharp was outstanding on the mound today,” his coach Matt Tomlin said. “This was only his second appearance on the big field … he was in control from the start and showed amazing composure for his age. Very impressive performance.”

Tyler Hinrichs relieved the young standout and was equally impressive, pitching 1.1 inning and giving up just one hit while striking out two.

Hinrichs also was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Tyler Maples (2-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs) and TC Rinker (2-for-3 with two runs) each also had a pair of hits, while Michael Manzi was 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs and Quentin Ikeya was 1-for-3 and drove in three runs.

With the win, Wild Cactus Baseball advances to Saturday’s semifinal at 3 p.m.

The team is sponsored by the Wild Cactus Clothing Company in Fortuna, which has provided player uniforms.

“Another amazing local business sponsoring local youth,” Tomlin said.