Submitted photos – The three Fortuna seniors threw out the first pitch to their fathers on senior day.

The Huskies celebrated three outstanding seniors on Saturday before cruising to an 18-8 win over Eureka in both teams’ regular-season finale at Fortuna High.

Also in action this weekend, on Friday the St. Bernard’s girls edged Arcata 3-2 in another non-conference game.

The Huskies, who are one of the favorites to win next week’s Charles Lakin tournament, honored their three seniors — Myra Hayes, Mariah Bravo and Faith Helms — before Saturday’s game.

All three are four-year varsity players and all three have left a big mark on the program in a variety of ways.

“They are what’s best about high school sports,” Fortuna head coach Eric Helms said. “They’re good students, they are genuinely nice people … we’ve been fortunate to have three ‘Swiss Army Knives’ on our roster. We’ve plugged them into all nine positions. They have been willing to step in and do whatever the team needs.”

Their contributions have gone well beyond even that, and they have set a wonderful example for their younger teammates, both on and off the field of play.

All three also had to work hard to become the players they are.

“No one in that trio began as freshman stars,” the coach added. “They struck out too often and they struggled (early on). But look at how they worked, and the other players noticed.”

And none of them will be easy to replace, although the coaches believe their impact will help with the transition in 2026.

“Next year is definitely going to be a new year,” Eric Helms added. “But, you know, those three have shown the others what you have to do to build your team. We’ll be okay.”

All three continued to impact the team on Saturday, as the Huskies started fast and led 11-0 after the first inning.

Fittingly Bravo hit a three-run home run to help key the fast start, while Evalynn Little added a double off the center field fence.

Bravo’s long ball was her sixth of the season, a stat that puts her among the program’s all-time greats.

As a team, the Huskies racked up 14 hits in the win, including three each by Bravo and Faith Helms.

Bravo fished with four RBIs, while Faith Helms had three.

Little, Hailee Thompson and Olivia Hayes each added two hits, while Sophia Castillo and Sephora Machado each also had a base hit.

Junior Isabel Sanchez got the win in the circle and also was walked four times.

Sanchez threw four scoreless innings and held the Eureka bats hitless while striking out 10 and walking just two.

All three seniors are also heavily involved in the local community outside of softball.

Myra Hayes is Student Body President at Fortuna, while Bravo was runner up in this year’s dairy Princess program and Faith Helms has her own baking business.

There were also several standouts for the Loggers, including junior Bailey Brown, who finished 2-for 3 with two doubles, an RBI and a stolen base, as well as Megan Secor, who was 2-for-3 with a double and four RBIs.

Jaycee Childress, Brogan Lorenzen, Kylie Secor and Giulana Burger each also had a hit for Eureka, including a double by Kylie Secor.

Kolo Saulque also had two walks and scored twice.

Makenze Wolff pitched 5.2 innings for the loss in the circle and struck out six.

The loss ends the season for the Loggers, while the Huskies, who were runners up in this year’s Big 5, will now turn their attention to next week’s Charles Lakin tournament, opening against St. Bernard’s on Tuesday night.

File photo

St. Bernard’s 3, Arcata 2

The Crusaders got back to winning ways on Friday, as they get set for next week’s Charles Lakin tournament.

The SB girls hosted Arcata in non-conference action and won 3-2.

Sophomore pitcher Oni Orcutt gave up just three hits on her way to the win in the circle and also struck out one.

The SB starter showcased her control with no walks allowed.

Anna Dorsch, Makinsey Lemley and Teghan Smith each had a base hit in the win, which ended a six-game losing streak.

“It was a good evenly-matched game today,” St. Bernard’s head coach Hailey Wilson said afterwards. “Both teams played great defense. Fortunately we were able to come out on top today.”

The performance was a nice response after dropping both games in a doubleheader to Hoopa the previous day.

“I’m proud of my girls bouncing back from yesterday and putting up a strong defense and minimizing errors,” Wilson said. 

No stats were immediately available for the Tigers.

Next up, the Crusaders will open the Charles Lakin tournament against Fortuna at the Arcata Sports Complex on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.