Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Liana Stumpf in action for the Panthers in Wednesday’s game.

By Ray Hamill — When all was said and done, the Panthers left no doubt as to who was the best team in this year’s Big 5.

In what was one of the most competitive conference campaigns we’ve seen in several years, the Mack girls rose to the challenge to edge out rivals Fortuna, Del Norte and Eureka in a four-horse race for the title.

And despite the fact just three wins separated the top four in the final standings, the Panthers claimed the title outright.

After clinching at least a share of the crown with a doubleheader split against Del Norte last weekend, they needed to beat rival Arcata on Wednesday to win it outright.

And they delivered with a composed performance that saw them score runs in four of the six innings they went to bat, with eight different players combining for 13 team hits and two others scoring.

But that was just half the story and McKinleyville would not have won this year’s title without the outstanding play of McKennah Sargent, who has played like an MVP all spring.

The senior standout, who will play at Santa Rosa JC next year, was a force all year both in the pitcher’s circle and at the plate.

Sargent held the Arcata bats to just two hits in Wednesday’s win, while walking just one and striking out five.

She also made some noise on offense, finishing 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a walk.

Sargent was one of four McKinleyville players to hit a double in the conference-clinching victory, as the Panthers closed out conference play with a 9-3 record and are now 14-6 overall.

Fellow senior, Liana Stumpf, also had a good day in her final-ever regular-season high school game, finishing 2-for-4 with a double and two runs.

Addison White, Josie Provolt-Dowd and Bailee White each also had multiple hits for the champs.

Addison White finished 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and two runs, while Provolt-Dowd was 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run, and Bailee White was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run.

Jacey Parker (1-for-2), Taylor Wade (1-for-4) and Sueveya Provolt (1-for-1 with two RBIs and a run) each also had a hit in the win.

Lead-off hitter Cabella Carper also walked twice and scored a run, while Leili Guerrero added an RBI and a run.

As conference champs, the Panthers will have an opening-round bye in next week’s Charles Lakin Tournament as they look for a return trip to the championship game.

They open the postseason tournament against either Eureka or Ferndale at the Arcata Sports Complex on Thursday.