Fortuna and Eureka take tournament duels
Fortuna’s battery did not crack under pressure in their Charles Lakin baseball tournament opener against Ferndale High, while Eureka High cruised to a win over South Fork in their respective opening game on Wednesday afternoon at the Arcata Ball Park.
Huskies stage comeback win
The tournament kicked off with a strong offensive showing by Ferndale’s batters in the top of the first, going up 7-0 by the time the third out was called. But Fortuna’s boys did not appear shaken, scoring early and often with no rebuttal from the Wildcats to win 14-7.
The Huskies began their comeback with two runs in the bottom of the first and four more in the second. Fortuna’s boys dispensed another two and four in the fourth and fifth respectively. Another two in the bottom of the seventh set the final score.
Huskies junior-year player Cole Ayala got four hits in four at bats, posting four RBI and scoring four as well to lead the Fortuna offense. Senior player Daniel Osborne drove in two runs while going two for three. Kallen Barote also posted two RBI in his sole plate appearance.
Matt Letter, Cody Sauers, Troy Bugbee, Colt Chamberlain, Cody Collins and Ryan Lomuri each drove in one run for the Huskies in the winning effort.
Cayden Danbruskas started on the mound for the Huskies, ultimately giving up seven runs in the opening frame while giving up three walks and throwing just one strikeout. Rogan Gans came in for early relief duties, throwing 5.1 innings to allow six hits and no more runs. Drew Franklin came in to close the game, throwing the three final outs.