The red-hot Humboldt Eagles 19Us remain well in contention for a second straight tournament championship after another nice win at their own tournament on Friday night.
The Eagles defeated the Colts A team 8-5 at Belotti Field, improving to 14-7 on the season.
They have now won 10 of their last 12 games.
Also in action on Friday, the Northern Humboldt Giants won a pair of games, defeating Legacy 11-2 and the Chico Suns 9-7.
Garrett Levitt had another big day at the plate for the Eagles, finishing 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, while Ryder Mitchell was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs.
This year’s Big 5 MVP, Tate Saso of McKinleyville, got the start on the mound and turned in a strong performance.
Saso threw six innings, giving up three earned runs on seven hits and no walks and striking out five.
“Tate looked really good,” Eagles manager Scott St. John said. “He didn’t pitch in Fairfield — we didn’t need him down there — so it was good to give him six innings.”
Saso worked well with catcher Jake Brunner, another McKinleyville player, and the two have established a good partnership every time they take the field.
“Tate and Brunner, those two guys are so young and they’re going to get so much better for playing at this level,” St. John added.
Saso helped his own cause by going 1-for-3 at the plate.
Robert Williams also had a good game for the tournament hosts.
Williams finished 1-for-3 at the plate and made the play of the game defensively in right field, catching a ball while running into the fence with runners on base in the sixth.
“Robert Williams had a big game for us,” said St. John, who added of the play, “it saved a run and that was probably the play of the game. It was a shot. I thought it was gone off the bat, but he ran it down.”
Michael Manzi also continued to play a key role for the Eagles and got the save in relief of Saso.
The recent St. Bernard’s graduate, who has become the team’s closer this summer, pitched the final inning and gave up one hit and two walks while striking out one.
“He’s kind of thriving in that closer role,” St. John said.
The Eagles will continue tournament play against the Colts B team on Saturday night at Belotti Field, with first pitch set for 7.
Giants 11, Legacy 2
Giants 9, Chico Suns 7
The Northern Humboldt Giants got the day off to a good start with a nine-run win over the Legacy.
Tanner Kees led the way at the plate and finished 2-for-2 with a triple, a double, two RBIs, three runs and a pair of stolen bases.
Three different Giants pitchers all saw action, including starter Carson Hicks, who threw two innings for the win, allowing one earned run on two hits and one walk and striking out five.
Ryan Tosten threw two innings in relief, giving up one hit and one walk and striking out one, with Sonny White throwing the final inning to close out the game and striking out one.
White also finished 1-for-1 with an RBI at the plate, while Emilio Medina was 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a sac fly.
Jerry Griffin, Rylan Kees, Bowdy Hicks, Tosten and Gavin Anderson each also was 1-for-2 with an RBI.
The influential Tanner Kees continued to impress in the second game of the day, finishing 3-for-4 with a triple, two RBIs and two more runs.
“Tanner Kees set the tone for our squad with his first at-bat in the top of the first and his leadership from behind the dish,” Giants manager Brandon Coborn said. “He is our field general.”
Griffin (2-for-4 with a triple, an RBI and a run), Bowdy Hicks (2-for-3), White (2-for-3 with an RBI and a run) and Tosten (2-for-3 with an RBI) each also had multiple hits in the win.
Medina rounded out a good game at the plate for the local club, finishing 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run.
“We swung the bats effectively and our small-ball offense was firing,” Coborn added.
Gavin Anderson got the win on the hill.
The Arcata Tiger threw 2.2 innings, giving top five earned runs and striking out two.
Rylan Kees and Medina both pitched in relief, with the latter getting the save.
Medina threw two innings and gave up just one hit while striking out three.
