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A “masterful” performance by Joe Tanno helped the Humboldt Eagles 19Us gain a measure of revenge and secure a tournament championship on Sunday.

The local American Legion Club closed out an impressive few days at the Fairfield Firecracker Tournament with a 3-2 win over the host team in the championship game.

The victory avenged the Eagles’ only tournament loss, which came against Fairfield by a score of 10-2 on Friday, and saw them close out tournament play 4-1.

“We competed,” Eagles manager Scott St. John said. “That’s a good team. We just played them and they (won 10-2) the first time. But today was a different tone today. The guys came ready to play.”

No one more so than Tanno.

The McKinleyville High standout pitched six innings for the win on the mound, giving up just one earned run on three hits and no walks and striking out seven.

It’s been an impressive summer for the soon-to-be Panthers senior, who has established himself as one of the very best high school pitchers on the North Coast.

“Joe Tanno was absolutely masterful on the mound,” St. John said. 

Michael Manzi also impressed in the win and secured his third save in tournament play, with three of the Eagles’ four tourney wins coming by just one run.

Catcher Jake Brunner also stepped up on Sunday, finishing 1-for-2 with a double and a key sac fly, while also impressing behind the plate.

Rhythm Green (1-for-2 with a run) and Garrett Levitt (1-for-3 with a run) each also had a hit in the win.

The Eagles defense also turned a double play in the seventh to help them hold on for the victory, as they improved to 11-7.

The Eagles have won seven of their last nine games as they get set for their own tournament this week and the business end of the campaign.

“I feel like we’re starting to pick up that momentum at the right time of the year,” St. John said. “This is a big tournament.”