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The Ferndale Wildcats showcased their young depth on Tuesday, as they remain well in the chase for this year’s Little 4 championship.

Since dropping a pair of games to conference leaders St. Bernard’s two weeks ago, the Ferndale players have taken care of business with four straight wins, including three straight in the Little 4.

And they’re doing it with a roster that includes five freshmen, many of whom are quickly establishing themselves at the high school level.

On Tuesday, they welcomed the South Fork Cubs to Ferndale and prevailed 20-0 in five innings, improving to 3-2 in conference and 9-2 overall.

And once again, some of the team’s younger players played key roles in the win.

Freshman Cash Mobley had another big day at the plate, and what has been most impressive about the newcomer this spring is his consistency on offense.

Mobley finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs and was one of three freshmen to hit successfully in the win.

Fellow freshmen Zac Bradfield and George Bibby each got their first varsity hit.

Both youngsters finished 1-for-1, with Bradfield scoring a run and Bibby driving in a score.

But the young players’ performances wasn’t the only thing that impressed on Tuesday.

“I thought we came out with good energy and maintained that energy, which is something we’ve been trying to preach to the kids, not being complacent and keeping that pace through the game,” Ferndale head coach Justin Andersen said. 

Prescott Langer also had a big day for the Wildcats and was 3-for-3 with three doubles and three RBIs and also scored four runs.

Parker Prior (2-for-3, three RBIs, two runs), Jarrett Smith (2-for-3, RBI, three runs) and Luke Dixon (2-for-2, three RBIs) each also finished with multiple hits in the win.

Tanner Pidgeon, Jonah Anderson and Colton Renner each also had a hit for Ferndale, with Smith and Langer splitting time on the mound and both pitching well.

Three of the young Ferndale players — Mobley, Renner and Tristen Titus — also combined on the mound to no-hit Round Valley in an 18-0 win over the weekend in non-conference action

Tuesday’s game, however, was a tough loss for a very young South Fork team, but some of the Cubs players impressed.

Travis “T-Bone” Way, Kale Puno and Mason Bell each had a base hit, with Way and Bell each stealing a base.

John Stafslien also doubled in the loss.

Five different South Fork pitchers combined on the mound.

“We need to continue to throw strikes and not walk as many,” South Fork head coach Alex Finn said. “And we have to command the zone a little better if we want to stay in ball games.”

As Finn suggested, this year’s Cubs team is a JV squad playing at the varsity level and the team’s collective confidence has taken a hit in recent games.

“We need to wake up and be ready at game time, and we need to start holding ourselves more accountable,” the coach added. “And it starts with me.”

The two schools will play each other again at South Fork on Thursday.