File photo – St. Bernard’s Luke Brunton

The St. Bernard’s Crusaders made it official on Thursday, clinching at least a share of this year’s Little 4 championship, as expected.

Since taking three of four games against second-placed Ferndale earlier in conference play, it has been widely anticipated that St. Bernard’s would win this year’s title.

And on Thursday they made it official, clinching at least a co-championship with a 13-2 win over South Fork in Miranda in six innings.

With the victory, the Crusaders improved to 9-1 in conference play and two wins clear of the Wildcats with two games remaining.

A win in either of next week’s two games against Hoopa would seal the title outright, as well as securing a top seed for the upcoming Charles Lakin tournament.

Michael Manzi, Mason Noel and Quentin Ikeya all had multiple hits in Thursday’s win, while junior pitcher Luke Brunton got the win on the mound.

Brunton threw four innings and gave up just two hits and no walks while striking out five.

Ikeya had a big day at the plate and finished 2-for-2 with two RBIs, as well as scoring two runs, while Noel also impressed as he continues to establish himself at the varsity level.

The sophomore went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs and also scored three runs.

Manzi was 2-for-4 and drove in four runs.

Sophomore Garrett Shanahan also pitched two innings in the win, allowing just three hits and no walks and striking out one.

With the win, the Crusaders are now 16-5 overall, as they look to carry that momentum into the postseason and make a run in both the Lakin tournament and North Coast Section playoffs.

File photo