Humboldt Crabs Baseball

A tough road trip continued for the Humboldt Crabs on Wednesday night, as they lost for the second straight day at Healdsburg.

The Prune Packers handed the Crabs their first shutout loss of the summer, winning 8-0.

After losing a slugfest 10-3 on Tuesday night, in a game that saw the two teams combine for seven home runs, the normally high-scoring Crabs were held to just four hits on Wednesday for the second straight night.

Healdsburg took control of the game with four runs in the bottom of the second inning and would add three more in the fourth to stretch the lead to seven.

A pair of former Arcata High pitchers combined on the mound for the visitors.

Ben Lukens got the start and took the loss, giving up seven earned runs on five hits and five walks and striking out two in 3.1 innings.

Miles Oliver threw the final 4.2 innings and had a good night, allowing just one earned run on two hits and two walks and striking out five.

Jamie Mullin led the way on a quiet night for the Crabs bats, finishing 2-for-3, while Manoa Chapman and Colton Boardman each also had a base hit.

The Crabs had two errors, giving them five over first two games against the Prune Packers.

Wit the win, Healdsburg solidified its lead in the Pacific Empire League standings, improving to 12-3 in league play and 23-4 overall.

The Crabs, who dropped to 11-5 and 27-6,  remain second in the standings and well positioned to qualify for the championship series later this month.

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

The game will be streamed live through the Crabs YouTube page as well as broadcast live on local ESPN radio at (107.3 FM, 1340 AM).

The Crabs will then travel to Medford to play two games against the Rogues on Friday and Saturday.