Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — The Humboldt Eagles 19Us are beginning to build some momentum heading into a busy few weeks, as they get for a weekend trip to compete at the Fairfield Firecracker tournament.

This past weekend, the local America Legion club played four non-tournament games and finished up 3-1, improving to 7-6 on the season.

And they won those games with just nine players on hand, with some players on the roster having other commitments, including catcher Michael Manzi, who traveled to Atlanta for the Native American All-Star Baseball Showcase event.

They opened the weekend with a 9-5 over Willits on Friday, before traveling south for a Saturday doubleheader against the Sonoma County Vipers, which they split, losing game one 3-2 and taking game two 20-2.

The Eagles returned home on Sunday to host the Tehama Bulls and won 11-3 to move above .500.

And with 42 runs scored over the four games, the Eagles bats are beginning to find their groove.

If they can continue to compete the way they have been so far — four of their six losses have come by just one run — the Eagles look set to close out the summer campaign strong.

“I feel like we’ve got a really good team, we just have some mental breakdowns occasionally,” Eagles manager Scott St. John said. “To be honest, going down to the Petaluma tournament — we were 2-4 there — we only saw one team that I thought was clearly better than us.

“It’s just that things happen in games, but I’m pleased with where we are.”

As usual for any local summer club, making sure they have enough pitching for busy weekends is always a challenge, and that’s been the case for the Eagles 19Us this month.

However, St. John expects to have a full roster to choose from for the remainder of the season.

“It will be nice to get into a little bit of a rhythm with these guys and see how we do,” the manager said. “I feel like we can play with anybody.”

Especially if the bats continue to improve and the players can build on a big weekend at the plate.

“We’ve got good pitching and the hitting is starting to come around,” St. John said. “I think this weekend it really came around, other than the 3-2 game. The bats are starting to come alive.”

Several players have been impressing for the team this summer, including one who has carried his form over from an impressive spring at McKinleyville High and another who is rediscovering his love for the game.

Joe Tanno, who was the team ace for the Panthers on their march to a Big 5 and Charles Lakin Tournament championship double earlier this year, is enjoying a big summer so far, and St. John likes a lot of what he’s seen from the Mack standout.

“Everybody’s doing good, but I’ve been really impressed with Joe Tanno,” St. John said. “I’ve known him for years but this is the first time I’ve had a chance to coach him and he’s got a great demeanor. He doesn’t get too high or too low.”

While Tanno has been a force on the mound for much of his young career, St. John is beginning to see a lot more from him at the plate.

“He’s really matured as a hitter,” the Eagles manager said.

Former Ferndale Wildcat and 2024 Little 4 MVP Parker Prior is another player who has been playing a big role for the Eagles this year after his return to the diamond.

Prior opted not to play college ball this past spring, but you couldn’t tell it from the way he has begun this season.

“I’m very pleased with Parker Prior,” St. John said. “He didn’t play baseball in college this year, but he’s been a pleasant surprise.

“He’s a great kid. He’s a smart kid with a high baseball IQ, and that’s what I like about this team. We have some kids with high baseball IQs.”

Garrett Levitt is another player who has carried the momentum over from an impressive spring in the H-DNL.

The recent Eureka High graduate, who will play at College of the Redwoods next year, has been impressing his coaches at the plate and on defense.

“Garrett Levitt had a big weekend,” St. John said. “He had a home run and he probably should have had one or two more. He’s starting to come around with his bat.”

Levitt also has done a good job holding down center field.

The Eagles are also hoping to have Finn Warner cleared to join them for July after the former Arcata Tiger and College of the Redwoods player has been limited this year due to injury.

“He can help us quite a bit,” St. John said. “So we’re hoping to have him cleared.”

After the weekend trip to Fairfield, the Eagles will return to the North Coast to host their own tournament next week.

In two weeks time, they will head back to Fairfield for the Area Tournament.