Submitted photo – The St. Bernard’s Crusaders won 10-0 at Modoc on Wednesday.

A senior and some freshmen helped the Crusaders to a winning start to the 2026 high school baseball season on Wednesday.

St. Bernard’s opened the new campaign at Modoc and won 10-0, with senior Michael Manzi leading the way.

Manzi got the win on the mound and enjoyed a good day at the plate.

He pitched 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and one walk and striking out nine.

“Michael Manzi had a great start to his senior year,” St. Bernard’s head coach Matt Tomlin said, while describing his performance on the hill as “outstanding.”

Manzi also finished 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs and three runs.

But he was far from the only bright spot for a St. Bernard’s team that also features some exciting young talent this spring.

Three freshmen enjoyed good debuts with the team.

Mason Long got his first high school hit while showcasing his power at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with a double and two runs.

Long singled in his first at-bat and hit a double off the center field fence the next time he came to bat.

Freshmen Brody Gaser and Jarren Biondini each also enjoyed good debuts with the team and got their first high school hits in the win.

Biondini also featured on the mound along with another freshman, Dakota Bestul.

Biondini threw 1.1 hitless innings, allowing two walks and striking out one, while Bestul pitched the final inning and did not give up a hit while striking out one.

Tomlin described it as “a great day for our freshman class.”

Junior Mason Noel also enjoyed a good season debut, finishing 1-for-3 with two RBIs.

The Crusaders will continue their season-opening road trip on Friday, traveling to Washington to begin the Ephrata tournament.

File photo – Michael Manzi