Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — It was a good week for St. Bernard’s baseball and for one of their players in particular.

The Crusaders kicked off the Little 4 schedule with two huge wins over their biggest rivals to put them in the driver’s seat in the race for this year’s championship.

On Tuesday, they defeated Ferndale 4-3 in an exiting game played in very cold conditions at the Bear River Sports Complex to open conference play, and they followed that with a 6-3 victory at Ferndale two days later.

The wins not only put them at 2-0 in the Little 4 but leave then two victories clear of the Cats, who are defending conference champs.

Of course, there’s still a long way to go in this year’s L4, but after just one week the Crusaders will take some stopping.

And their fast start makes them our choice for Humboldt Sports team of the week.

And that’s not all for the St. Bernard’s boys.

The Crusaders have several good options on the mound this spring and one of them enjoyed an outstanding week, making him our choice for one of our athletes of the week.

Junior Luke Brunton played a key role in the team’s fast start to conference play, pitching a complete game for the win on Thursday.

Brunton also took over on the hill late in Tuesday’s win for the save, which was his second on the season.

For good measure, Brunton also threw a complete-game five-inning no-hitter in a victory at Point Arena on Saturday, while also hitting a two-RBI triple in that game.

Our other athletes of the week this week also come from the Little 4.

On Thursday, sisters Mackenzie and Leila Coleman led the South Fork girls to a doubleheader sweep in their conference openers at Hoopa.

The talented siblings each got a win in the circle and also led the team at the plate.

And when they’re not pitching they split time at shortstop, helping to anchor a Cubs defense that is playing well early in conference play and a unit that gives the pitchers plenty of support.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Luke Brunton

St. Bernard’s baseball, Junior

Brunton has established himself as one of the Crusaders’ most important players on a deep and talented roster.

He struck out nine in his no-hitter at Point Arena, while also hitting the triple and scoring twice and then adding a double and three RBIs in game two of that doubleheader.

After recording his second save of the season against the Wildcats on Tuesday, Brunton impressed on the mound again at Ferndale on Thursday, striking out seven in a complete-game performance.

The impressive junior is now 2-0 on the season with two saves.

For more on his big week, see Crusaders win at Ferndale, take control of the race for the Little 4 …

Mackenzie Coleman, 

South Fork Softball, Sophomore 

Leila Coleman

South Fork Softball, Freshman

The impressive sisters have the Cubs in pole position early in the Little 4 schedule, and while there’s still a long way to go in conference play the Cubs are looking like legitimate contenders.

Leila and Mackenzie combined to strike out 11 and walk just one in the sweep and also led the way for their team at the plate.

The siblings remarkably were a combined 14-for-17 on offense with six RBIs and Leila also walked once and hit a home run in the opener.

For more on their big week, see Mixed fortunes for South Fork Cubs in Little 4 openers …

TEAM OF THE WEEK

St. Bernard’s Baseball

If opening week is anything to go by, the Crusaders will be tough to stop in this spring’s Little 4.

Head coach Matt Tomlin and his staff have a deep roster at their disposal with a lot of options both on the mound and at the plate.

In addition to the stellar play of Brunton this week, catcher/pitcher Michael Manzi looks like one of the most complete players in the entire H-DNL right now and infielder and team captain Tyler Maples is providing some key leadership.

Garrett Shanahan, Quentin Ikeya and Tyler Hinrichs are all also playing big roles for this team, while younger players like Mateo Reiman and Mason Noel have both quickly established themselves as clutch contributors.

For more on their big week, see Crusaders win at Ferndale, take control of the race for the Little 4 …