Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Garrett Shanahan carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning of Thursday’s game at St. Bernard’s.

Two days after blowing a four-run lead late in a loss at Ferndale, the St. Bernard’s Crusaders were determined to not let that happen again.

On Thursday, they welcomed the Wildcats to Crusader Field for another key Little 4 game and this time there would be no disappointment as the hosts ran out to a comfortable 9-1 win.

The victory not only avenged Tuesday’s loss, but it also leaves the Crusaders with one hand on the pennant.

“After a tough loss on Tuesday, the boys responded with grit and toughness and took it to Ferndale for seven innings,” St. Bernard’s head coach Matt Tomlin said. “I could not be prouder of these young men.”

The victory lifts the Crusaders to 7-1 in the Little 4 standings (14-5 overall) and puts them two games clear of second-placed Ferndale with just four games remaining, two each against South Fork and Hoopa.

Ferndale dropped to 5-3 in the L4 and 11-3 overall, with all three of their loses coming against SB.

On Thursday, it was sophomore Garrett Shanahan who set the determined tone on the mound for his teammates, all of whom embraced the challenge.

Shanahan threw six innings and frustrated the Ferndale bats while holding them to just one hit.

“The sophomore right-hander delivered the game of the year,” Tomlin said of the young pitcher, who walked just two and struck out six and carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before giving up the only Ferndale hit of the day. “He was absolutely lights out.”

Senior team captain Tyler Maples continued to have the hot bat for the home team and delivered another big performance.

“Our senior team captain crushed the ball,” Tomlin added.

Maples was 3-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and two runs, while junior Tyler Hinrichs also impressed with his all-around game.

Hinrichs was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, while also playing some solid defense at third base and pitching one hitless inning in relief to secure the win.

“I thought Shanahan was outstanding,” Ferndale head coach Justin Andersen said. “And (catcher Michael) Manzi called a great game, and Tyler made every play he had to at third base.”

Luke Brunton also had a good day at the plate in the win and was 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs, while freshman Henry Hinrichs continued to play beyond his years and finished 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs.

“This was a great team victory,” Tomlin said.

The Crusaders broke the tie with three runs in the bottom of the third inning and would add five more runs in the fourth to take control of the game.

“Credit to them, they took it to us today,” Andersen said.

Prescott Langer had the only hit of the game for the visitors.

The junior also pitched 3.2 innings for the loss on the mound, before being relieved by Jonah Anderson.

An injury to starting catcher Jarrett Smith that forced him from the game in the fourth inning didn’t help matters for the Cats, although Andersen is hoping the important senior will be back on the field soon and listed him as day to day.

Impressive freshman Cash Mobley took over behind the plate for the first time at the varsity level and did a good job.

Tristen Titus also impressed his coach as he continues to make some noise at the plate in the No. 9 spot in the lineup.

Despite not finishing with a hit, Titus hit the ball hard on a couple of occasions and worked a walk.

Overall, however, it was a disappointing day for the defending Little 4 champs, who likely saw any chance of successfully defending their title slip away.

“We expect more from the top of our lineup,” said Andersen, who described the loss as a teaching moment.