Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.om – Nallia Meyer crosses home plate to score in Tuesday’s game at McKinleyville.

By Ray Hamill — Just five of the nine H-DNL varsity softball teams have managed to get games in early in the new season.

With conference play set to begin in early April, they’ll be hoping to change that over the next couple of weeks.

The McKinleyville Panthers have been one of the most impressive local teams this spring and are off to a 3-0 start, including a hard-fought 3-1 win over Arcata on Tuesday.

Here’s an update on how the local schools have fared so far and what’s next for all nine programs.

Arcata (0-1)

Arcata welcomes a new head coach, Jason Miller, this season and early indications are positive.

The Tigers looked like an improved team in their season debut at McKinleyville on Tuesday despite falling 3-1.

In particular, the team defense looked good, getting out of numerous jams and pushing their neighbors and rivals all the way.

Next up, the Arcata girls are scheduled to play at St. Bernard’s on Monday at 4 p.m.

Del Norte (0-0)

The defending Big 5 and Charlie Lakin tournament champs have yet to play a game this year but they should be very competitive by the time they open conference play 

The Del Norte girls are scheduled to play a doubleheader in Petaluma on Saturday against Ukiah at noon and Petaluma at 2 p.m.

They are scheduled to play Eureka in their home openers next weekend.

Eureka (0-1-1)

The Loggers played a pair of game last week, falling to McKinleyville 10-0 and tying Ukiah 15-15 in a high-scoring showdown.

Next up is a home game against West Valley next Thursday at 4 p.m.

Fortuna (2-0)

The Huskies should be one of the favorites in this year’s Big 5 along with Del Norte and their early-season performances support that belief.

Last weekend, they beat Napa Valley 13-5 in eight innings and followed that with a 10-7 win over Lower Lake.

Next up, the Huskies are scheduled to host St. Bernard’s on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

The McKinleyville Panthers are off to a 3-0 start this season.

McKinleyville (3-0)

The Panthers have posted early-season wins over Eureka (10-0), Ukiah (9-6) and Arcata (3-1).

As usual, you can expect head coach Shanna McCracken’s team, which is one of the most consistent in the H-DNL year after year, to be a force in this year’s Big 5.

Next up, the Panthers are scheduled to host West Valley in a doubleheader on March 22, beginning at 10 a.m.

Ferndale (0-0)

With many of their players just joining the team after an impressive playoff run in basketball, the Wildcats have yet to play a game.

They are scheduled to open the new season with a home game against Willits on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Hoopa (0-0)

The Warriors also have yet to play a game this year, although they have played some early-season scrimmages.

They are scheduled to open the new season against Yreka on March 25 when they head to the Medford tournament.

South Fork (3-1)

The Cubs won their first three games of the year, beating Upper Lake (13-2), Chester (5-3) and Pierce (10-1), before losing to Live Oak 11-0.

With head coach Lisa Todd back again this spring, expect the South Fork girls to be very competitive in the Little 4.

Next up, they are scheduled to play  a doubleheader at Fort Bragg on Saturday, beginning at noon, although the weather may force a cancelation.

St. Bernard’s (0-0)

The Crusaders have a new head coach this season, with former St. Bernard’s standout Hailey Wilson taking over the team.

The SB girls are on the road at the Cloverdale tournament this weekend.