File photo – Michael Manzi

The Crusaders showcased their power at the plate in Friday’s Yreka baseball tournament game against Etna, but it wasn’t enough to secure a victory as the Lions struck late to win 6-5 in six innings.

The St. Bernard’s bats blasted six doubles off the outfield wall in what was yet another close game for the team.

The Lions scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning to break a 1-1 tie, but the Crusaders would battle back, scoring four runs in the top of the fifth to take a 5-4 advantage.

The Lions, however would not be denied.

They tied the game in the bottom of the fifth and secured the victory with a walk-off run in the sixth.

“I am proud of the boys for the way they battled back,” SB head coach Matt Tomlin said. “We just couldn’t hold on in the end.”

The two teams combined for 20 hits, including 11 by the Crusaders, with six of them going for extra bases.

Sophomore Garrett Shanahan continued to impress and finished 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and an RBI, while the always dangerous Michael Manzi went 2-for-4 and also had two doubles.

“I am very happy with the improvement we had offensively as we had 11 hits today, including six doubles driven to the wall,” said Tomlin, whose team is now 1-1 in tournament play and 2-2 on the season. “All four games we have played have been close this season and are helping prepare us for the start of the league season in two weeks.”

The Crusaders had an opportunity to add to their tally in the top of the sixth, but hit into a double play with the bases loaded to end the threat.

Tyler Maples also impressed at the plate for St. Bernard’s and finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs, while Tyler Hinrichs continued his impressive run in tournament action and reached base three times, going 1-for-2 with a pair of walks.

TC Rinker also was 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI, while Luke Brunton finished 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI and Mateo Reiman went 1-for-2 with an RBI.

Brunton also got the start on the mound and threw four innings for a no-decision.

The junior pitcher gave up three earned runs on six hits and three walks and struck out eight.

Manzi took the loss in relief, pitching the final 1.2 innings.

The junior gave up two earned runs on three hits and two walks and struck out four.

The Etna boys, who lost 9-3 to Del Norte ion their tournament opener on Thursday, improved to 3-2 on the season with Friday’s win.

The Crusaders will close out tournament play against Del Norte on Saturday morning at 10 a.m.