Submitted photo

The Crusaders have hit the ground running this season with two shutout victories in the their opening three games this week.

After defeating Modoc 10-0 on Wednesday, St. Bernard’s played two games at the Ephrata Tournament in Washington on Saturday, winning both in cold conditions.

The tournament was delayed until Saturday because of snow in the area on Friday, but they overcame the difficult conditions to beat Ephrata 6-2 and Quincy 6-0.

“I was proud of them for overcoming the tough conditions and finding a way to win two games,” St. Bernard’s head coach Matt Tomlin said of his players, who played in temperatures in the low 30s. 

It was far from perfect with the Crusaders committing six errors in game one and walking six batters in game two.

“It was not a clean doubleheader,” Tomlin said, “But the boys kept working hard and found a way to win two.”

Reigning Little 4 MVP Luke Brunton had a good day on the mound in game one, giving up three hits and two walks in five innings and striking out five.

The senior did not allow any earned runs.

“Luke Brunton was brilliant on the mound in game one,” Tomlin said. “He pitched through the miscues on defense and did not allow any earned runs.”

Brunton helped his own cause by going 1-for-2 at the plate and driving in a run, while freshman teammate Mason Long continued the impressive start to his high school career and had two RBIs and Michael Manzi was 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs.

Fresh off a big season on the basketball court, junior Garret Shanahan got the win on the hill in game two.

Shanahan gave up one hit and four walks in two scoreless innings and struck out four, with freshman Teyler Bailey and sophomore Saehwan Kwon both also impressing in relief and striking out two batters in one inning each.

Tyler Hinrichs (1-for-2, two walks, RBI), Brunton (1-for-2, RBI) and Long (1-for-3, run) each also made some noise at the plate.

Tomlin praised the performances out of the bullpen by Bailey and Saehwan.

Manzi also had a big day behind the plate, throwing out four base runners over the two games.

Next up, the 3-0 Crusaders will play at the three-day Yreka tournament, which begins on Thursday.