The Ferndale Wildcats got a nice early-season boost with a big win over one of their biggest rivals in baseball on Monday.

The Cats welcomed neighbors Fortuna to Ferndale High and won a high-scoring showdown 17-8 to go to 2-0 on the season.

And it was a particularly good day for senior Prescott Langer, who led the home team at the plate, finishing 4-for-5.

Langer hit a home run and a double and also drove in five of his team’s runs.

Overall, it was a good early-season win for the Little 4 school, but as you would expect at this stage of the campaign the team is still a work in progress.

“At this point, it’s always nice to beat one of your rivals, but the team is nowhere near where we need to be,” Ferndale head coach Justin Andersen said. “But I am pleased with the work they’re willing to put in.

“Just in the last two weeks I’m seeing improvement in the way they’re seeing the game, and they’re understanding what needs to be done, even if we’re not at perfect execution.”

Cash Mobley also impressed in Monday’s win.

The Ferndale sophomore went 3-for-4 with an RBI, while fellow sophomore Preston Killingsworth was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Luke Dixon went 1-for-3 with an RBI, while Tanner Pidgeon (1-for-2) and Justin Noga (1-for-3) each also had a hit in the win.

Westin Ayala got the win on the mound.

The Wildcats junior got the start and threw three solid innings, allowing three hits and four walks and striking out three.

Ayala also had an RBI on offense.

No stats were immediately available for the Huskies, who dropped to 1-1.

The Cats also defeated Willows 10-1 last week.

Next up for Ferndale is a trip to compete at the Maxwell tournament later this week.

They open with two games on Friday and also play a single game on Saturday.