Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Eureka’s Ryder Mitchell finished with a couple of base hits in game two of Saturday’s doubleheader at Arcata.
The two conference contenders continued to roll on Saturday, as the McKinleyville Panthers moved within a win of securing at least a share of this year’s Big 5 title and the Eureka Loggers kept the pressure on them.
The Panthers, who have not lost a game in over five week, stretched their winning streak to 10 straight games with a pair of wins at Fortuna, winning 10-1 and 21-3.
With the two wins, they improved to 8-0 in the Big 5 with four games remaining, including a huge matchup at Eureka on Wednesday.
The Loggers, meanwhile, traveled to Arcata and swept a doubleheader, winning 11-4 and 11-1 and improving to 7-2 in the Big 5 with three games remaining.
After losing twice at McKinleyville earlier in conference play, the Eureka boys have no room error and will need to win on Wednesday and hope that either Del Norte or Arcata can do them a favor and knock off the conference leaders.
On Saturday, the Loggers continued to take care of business with a pair of must-win games, stretching their winning streak to four straight and improving to 15-6 overall.
Three Eureka pitchers combined to frustrate the Arcata bats all afternoon, including Brayden Bermers, who threw a complete game in game two.
The standout sophomore, who is enjoying an outstanding season, gave up just one earned run on two hits and two walks ad struck out five.
The Loggers remained focused all afternoon, knowing full well that anything other than a sweep would likely cost them any shot at a conference title.
“Always happy to get two wins on the road,” Eureka head coach Tommy Gale said.
The Eureka bats accounted for 11 runs on 10 hits in game two, while the defense played errorless ball.
Ryder Mitchell led the way at the plate and finished 2-for-2 with an RBI, while always impressive teammate Ty Crawford was 2-for-4 and hit a three-run home run in the top of the first to give the Loggers a lead they would not relinquish.
Five different Loggers had multiple hits in game one, led by Crawford, who got a big day started by going 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.
Fisher Osborn (2-for-2), Bryson Burns (2-for-3), Bermers (2-for-3 with two RBIs) and Garrett Levitt (2-for-3 with a double) each also had multiple hits the win, while teammates Abel Estes and Scotty Brogan both added a double.
Kyle Giacone got the start on the mound and threw four strong innings, allowing two hits and four walks and striking out nine, with Mitchell throwing the final three innings and allowing just three hits and no walks while striking out eight.
“We’re blessed to have that depth in our rotation,” Gale said.
With their title hopes on the line, several Eureka players enjoyed productive days at the plate over the two games.
“I love to see hits scattered through the lineup,” Gale said. “We were able to get guys playing time and they were able to contribute and produce.”
No stats were immediately available for the Tigers.
Next up, the Loggers will play a make-up game at Fortuna on Monday afternoon at 4, before hosting the Panthers on senior day on Wednesday.
McKinleyville 10, Fortuna 1
McKinleyville 21, Foruna 3
The hottest team in the H-DNL continued to deliver on Saturday and remained focused on the task at hand before Wednesday’s potential title decider.
But it wasn’t entirely smooth.
“In the first game we didn’t hit the ball very well and we made some errors,” said McKinleyville head coach Mike Dobrec, whose team improved to 17-1 on the season. “But overall, it was a team win. The kids pulled through.”
One of the bright spots on the day for the visitors was the pitching of junior Cody Wilson, who made his first appearance in over a month and delivered with three strong innings, while striking out three.
“Cody Wilson threw good,” Dobrec said “He hasn’t been out there (since March 18). It was a long layoff for him and he came out and threw strikes.”
The junior pitcher got plenty of offensive support with six different Panthers combining for seven base hits in game one, led by Rhythm Green, who got a good day started by going 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Joe Tanno also had a good day, both at the plate and on the mound.
The junior standout threw four strong innings in relief of Wilson and struck out seven, while also finishing 1-for-2 at the plate with two RBIs.
Pat Wilson (1-for-2 with a double and an RBI), Carson Hicks (1-for-3 with an RBI), Bode Reininger (1-for-4) and Tate Saso (1-for-5) each also had a base hit in the game-one win.
Despite the losses, there were some bright spots for a young Fortuna team that is quickly earning the respect of some opposing coaches for continuing to battle and not folding despite their struggles this spring.
Freshman Brie Neuman had a base hit in each game as he continues to adapt well to the varsity level.
“He’s taking over as our leader on the field,” Fortuna head coach Andy Petersen said of the young standout. “He’s really showing at the plate and in the field.”
Casey Moore also impressed his coach, pitching six solid innings in game one and keeping his team in the game, with just four runs separating the two schools going into the seventh.
“Defensively, we really showed for him in game one,” Petersen said. “And we kept it close until the end.”
Junior team captain Cam McClendon also impressed for the home team in game two, reaching base twice and scoring two of his team’s runs.
Ultimately, however, the Panthers were able to pull away in both games as they continue to show why they have been the best team in the area thus far this season.
Nine different McKinleyville players hit successfully in game two, including Tanno, who finished 2-for-3 with five RBIs, and Green, who was 2-for-3 with three RBIs to cap big days for both players.
Jake Brunner also made some noise at the plate in the game-two win and finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Saso (1-for-1), Reininger (1-for-2 with an RBI), Pat Wilson (1-for-3 with two RBIs), Tyson Marshall (1-for-2 with two RBIs), Bowdy Hicks (1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs) and James Fike (1-for-5) each also had a hit for McKinleyville in game two.
Reininger also got the win on the hill, pitching four strong innings and striking out three, with Saso pitching the final inning and striking out one.
“In the second game, we hit the ball a lot better,” Dobrec said. “Tanno had a great day, Rhythm hit well in both games and Bode came in and threw strikes.”
Game two got away from the Huskies in the top of the fifth, when the visitors plated 12 runs.
But the Fortuna players continue to show up every game despite dropping to 0-8 in the Big 5 and 1-16 on the season.
“We gave a good team a lot of opportunities in the second game and they took advantage,” Petersen said, “But I think it was a good learning experience for our team.
“We’re excited to see the future, and it’s hard to tell from the scores (today), but I think we’re definitely moving in the right direction.”
