File photo /Humboldt Crabs Baseball

The Crabs got off to a great start in Wednesday night’s game in Lincoln, but it quickly got away from them.

After giving up four runs in the top of the second inning, the host Potters answered with nine runs in the bottom of the third and would hold on for a 12-4 win to even the series after two games.

The loss was the first of the summer for the Crabs, who themselves had handed the Potters their first loss in the series opener on Tuesday night.

With the loss, the Crabs dropped to 13-1 on the season and 1-1 in the Pacific Empire League, while the Potters improved to 16-1 and 1-1.

The two clubs will close out the three-game series on Thursday night, with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m.

Ryan VandenBrink led a seven-hit team performance for the Crabs and finished 3-for-4 with an RBI, while teammate Eli Burnham was 2-for-4 with a run.

Arcata High graduate Ben Lukens got the start on the hill and took the loss.

Lukens threw 2.1 innings and gave up six earned runs on eight hits while striking out one.

Another former Tiger, Cedar Kline, threw one inning in relief to close out the game, giving ups two earned runs on a hit and a walk and striking out two.

Tyler Howard, who had a big night in Tuesday’s win, added a bae hit and two RBIs in the loss.

The Potters finished with 13 hits.

Thursday’s game will be broadcast live on local radio (ESPN 107.3 FM, 1340 AM) and streamed through the Crabs YouTube channel.