Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Action from Wednesday’s game at Eureka.

By Ray Hamill — The Del Norte girls won a third straight championship in softball this spring, and on Wednesday they made sure it would be a third straight outright championship.

After clinching at least a co-championship with a doubleheader sweep over McKinleyville on Saturday they knew they needed to beat the Loggers in Eureka on Wednesday to secure the title outright.

And they comfortably took care of business, coming out of the starting gates on fire and putting up six runs in the top of the first on the way to a 10-0 win in five innings.

In other Big 5 action on Wednesday, the McKinleyville Panthers got the better of the Arcata Tigers 6-2 to secure third place in conference and a place in next week’s Charles Lakin tournament.

The big story of the day, however, was the third straight championship for a senior-heavy Del Norte team, with many of those players playing key roles in all three championships.

Shay Nolan got the win in the circle and appears to be getting stronger as the season moves along.

“Shay threw very well today,” Del Norte head coach Aaron Healy said of the senior team ace, who gave up just three hits and no walks. “She was kind of feeling it today.”

She got plenty of offensive support, including a second-inning home run by senior third baseman Tsinte Steinruck.

Steinruck finsshed 2-for-2, while fellow senior Khloe Smith was 2-for-3 with a double.

Another senior, Presli Durham, also had a base hit and was one of multiple Del Norte back-ups to impress as Healy went deep to his bench after the fast start.

“We got the subs going and some kids that don’t normally get playing time got playing time,” the coach said. “We had some patient at-bats.”

Another senior, Neela Travis, also took advantage of her playing time and impressed her coach, as did junior Bailey Fox, who made a case for a lot more playing time next spring after the nine seniors on this year’s team graduate.

Now that a third straight league title has been secured, the Warriors will turn their attention towards next week’s Lakin tournament and the upcoming North Coast Section playoffs.

After receiving a first-round bye, the Warriors will open the Lakin tournament on Thursday at the Arcata Sports Complex.

Last year, they followed their second straight Big 5 championship with a first-ever Lakin tournament title, and Healy and his players will be hoping to follow that with another winning trophy this year.

“That’s the next goal,” he said. “One game at a time.”

Kylie Secor, Megan Secor and Giuliana Burger each had a base hit for the Eureka girls in Wednesday’s loss, while sophomore Makenze Wolff took the loss in the circle but continues to grow in stature.

The young pitcher settled into the game along with her defense and held the high-flying conference champs scoreless over the final three innings.

Wolff gave up eight hits and struck out four.

It was also senior day for the Loggers, who honored their lone senior Mallorie Beauchamp.

And, according to her coach, the influential team captain will be missed.

“Mallorie has been a pleasure to coach,” Eureka head coach Cheyenne King said. “During my first two years pf coaching she has been a crucial part in building our team and someone I can always rely on, on and off the field.”

Despite the team’s struggles in terms of wins and losses this spring, Beauchamp provided a lot of much-needed leadership.

“She pours her heart and soul into everything she does, and I can’t wait to see what she does in her future. She will be greatly missed next year.”

The Loggers will close out their season with a non-conference game at Fortuna on Saturday.

McKinleyville 6, Arcata 2

The Arcata girls gave the Panthers all they could handle in their game, getting runners on base in six of the seven innings.

Lily Cunningham, Nallia Meyer, Josie Cunningham, Abby Tyner, Jenna Renteria and Toni Diaz all hit successfully for the Tigers.

And that wasn’t the only aspect of Arcata’s game that impressed.

“Our defense was good, we only made a few mistakes,” head coach Jason Miller said. 

Josie Cunningham once again led the defensive performance with a big day at shortstop, making nine outs.

“It was a hard day, but days like this are what make us show back up and work harder so we can get better,” Miller added. “We have grown a ton this year and this team has been able to be competitive at every step.

“I’m proud of these girls and all they have put into the season.”

No stats were immediately available for the Panthers, who closed out conference play 5-7 and will now advance to play the No. 2 seed from the Little 4 in the opening round of next week’s Lakin tournament.

That game will take place at the Arcata Sports Complex on Tuesday.

Submitted photos – Action from Wednesday’s game at Arcata High.